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By  KEITH  L.  BROOKS 

Author  of 

'Simple  Studies  in  Bible  Marking" 


Published  by 

BIBLE  INSTITUTE  OF  LOS  ANGELES 

536-558  South  Hope  Street 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


Copyright  1919 
KEITH    L.    BROOK 


w  ex 

PREFACE 

Chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  stimulating  Christians  to  take  up  th 
chapter  method  of  Bible  study,  this  work  is  compiled.  It  is  designed  t 
act  as  an  aid  to  the  ordinary  reader  in  gathering  into  a  nut-shell,  as  i 
were,  the  definite  spiritual  lessons  for  the  daily  life  contained  in  ever; 
chapter  of  the  Bible.  Many  of  the  statements  contained  in  the  cor 
elusions  will  be  found  to  be  familiar,  and  the  writer  does  not  claim  origin 
ality  throughout  the  work.  The  work  was  compiled  largely  from  note 
made  in  the  margins  of  the  author's  Bible,  kept,  for  the  most  part  withou 
regard  to  their  sources. 

The  course  through  the  Bible,  chapter  by  chapter,  may  well  be  use< 
as  a  system  of  daily  devotional  reading,  and  we  commend  it  for  tha 
purpose  as  it  gives  the  Word  of  'God  its  proper  place.  The  "strikin 
facts"  will  center  the  reader's  attention  upon  Jesus  Christ,  while  th 
" strong  verses"  may  often  be  taken  as  promises  for  the  day  or  as  memor; 
verses. 

The  work  is  also  adapted  to  be  used  as  a  text  book  for  teachin 
chapter  summary  work.  Members  of  a  class  may  be  required  to  wor 
out  for  themselves  the  points  suggested  on  each  chapter.  The  comparin 
of  their  ''leading  lessons"  will  make  most  interesting  class  work.  Th 
teacher  may  then  read  the  statements  given  in  the  Summarized  Bible  a 
a  guide  to  the  student.  In  this  connection,  we  would  recommend  fo 
the  use  of  students,  the  chapter  summary  note  book  designed  by  Re^ 
John  H.  Hunter  and  published  by  Biola  Book  Room,  Sixth  and  Hop 
Streets,  Los  Angeles  California.  This  is  comprised  of  blank  pages  rule 
into  divisions  for  "prominent  persons";  "best  verse";  "leading  lesson 
and  "principal  subject." 

The  Summarized  Bible  will  also  be  found  of  value  as  a  reference  worl 
For  the  preacher  who  is  in  search  of  Scripture  illustrations  for  his  sei 
mons,  the  "conclusions"  will  often  suggest  helpful  applications.  Man 
suggestive  outlines  will  be  found  throughout  which  may  be  used  as  skel< 
tons  for  sermons.  The  "striking  facts"  furnish  foundation  material  fo 
a  study  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  He  appears  in  all  the  Scriptures. 

If  this  work  may  be  used  of  God  to  bring  some  to  apply  themselve 
wholly  to  the  Scriptures  and  the  Scriptures  wholly  to  themselves,  w 
shall  feel  abundantly  repaid  for  the  effort. 

KEITH  L.  BROOKS. 


415539 


frO  DO  WITH  THE  BIBLE 


.  w.  H.  PIKE 

i'i  HE  Bible  is  wonderful  because  it  gives  us  a  knowledge  of  God,  of 
men,  of  the  Universe,  and  of  Redemption.  No  other  book  can  be 
compared  to  it  in  this  respect,  but  it  not  only  informs  us  about  these 
important  truths,  but  it  also  tells  us  what  we  are  to  do  with  it.  We 
have  within  the  Bible  itself  instruction  as  to  our  attitude  toward  it 

We  are  exhorted   to: 

1.  "Read  it."  Neh.  8:8.  And  may  I  suggest  that  it  be  read 
slowly,  carefully,  prayerfully,  in  large  portions,  repeatedly,  rever- 
ently and  with  a  willing  spirit  to  follow  its  precepts. 

2.  "Believe  it."     Rom.   10:8.      Because  it  is  the  Word  of  faith.      It  has 
been  given  to  increase  our  faith  in  God  and  His  working  in  the  Universe. 

3.  "Receive  it."     Jas.  1:21.     Here  it  is  the  engrafted  word  that  is  to  be 
received  as  the  soil  received  the  seed,  or  the  tree  receives  the  graft.     Taking 
the  Word  of  God  in  our  heart  life,  allowing  it  to  grow  and  bear  its  own  fruit 
in   motives  and   actions. 

4.  "Taste  it."      Heb.  6:5.      For  it  is  the  good  Word  of  God.      Some  seem 
to  be  afraid  of  the  Bible  for  fear  it  will  require  them  to  do  something  they  do 
not  wish  to  do.      Be  not  afraid;  it  is  good  and  right  in  all  its  requirements. 

5.  "Eat   it."      Jer.    15:16.      This    process    suggests    that   we    not    merely 
taste  but  actually  live  by  it,  as  Jesus  said,  "Ye  shall  not  live  by  bread  alone, 
but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God."      Matt.  4:4. 

6.  "Hold  it  fast."     Tit.  1:19.     It  is  a  faithful  word.     All  its  promises  are 
true;   all  its  history  is  true;   and  its  statements  are  truth.     Therefore  we  are 
to  rest  our  faith  upon  it. 

7.  "Hold  it  forth."      Phil.    2:16.      Because  it  is  the  Word  of  Life.      All 
who  come  under  its  benificent  rays  feel  its  life  giving  power. 

8.  "Preach   it."      2   Tim.   4:2,      Here   it   is   called   simply   the  Word.      It 
suggests  that  we  are  not  to  preach  any  one  part  of  it  or  any  one  phase  of  it, 
but  preach  it  in  its  entirety  and  fulness. 

9.  "Search  it."      John  5:29   R.  V.     This    suggests    work    and    patience. 
The  Greek  word  carries  the  idea  of  "ransack"  as  the  housewife  goes  through 
the  home  at  housecleaning  time;   or  "to  track"  as  the  hunter  laboriously  fol- 
lows the  game  through  the  brush,  so  we  are  to  search  for  truth  and  run  down 
the  lines  of  God's  revelations  to  man. 

10.  "Study  it."     2  Tim.  2:15.     Here  is  a  word  that  means  close  applica- 
tion  to  the  Word   of   God,   as  the  builder   minutely   studies   the   plans   of   the 
architect  before  erecting  the  structure. 

11.  "Meditate  on  it."     Ps.  1:2.     This  word  has  much  the  same  meaning 
as  "eat"  for  it  means  literally  "to  chew  the  cud."     Turning  the  Word  of  God 
over  and  over  in  the  mind  till  the  sweetness  of  its  truths  feed  our  souls. 

12.  "Compare  it."     2  Cor.  2:13.     This  is  not  so  much  what  we  do  with 
the  Scriptures  as  what  the  Holy  Spirit  does  with  them  in  our  hearts.     This  is 
a  divine  commentary  always  at  hand.     Or  as  John  puts  it  in  his  first  epistle 
2:27  R.  V.  "The  annointing  which  ye  received  of  Him  abideth  in  you,  and  ye 
need  not  that  any  man  teach   you,   but  as   His  annointing  teacheth   you   con- 
cerning all  things,  and  is  true,  and  is  no  lie,  and  even  so  as  it  taught  you,  ye 
abide  in  Him." 

13.  "Rightly  divide   it."      2   Tim.    2:15.      This  is  not  an   arbitrary  divi- 
sion of  subjects  but  the  following  of  a  line  of  truth  from  the  first  place  men- 
tioned to  the  last  place  mentioned;  noticing  it  in  all  its  relation  to  other  truths 
and  as  the  word  literally  means  "the  cutting  of  a  straight  line"   of  truth  in 
the  Bible. 

14.  "Delight  in  it."     Ps.  119:92.     Seven  times  in  this  Psalm  the  Psalmist 
speaks  of  delighting  in  God's  word.     This  should  always  be  the  heart  ambition 
and  attitude. 

"Study  it   carefully;    think   of   it   prayerfully; 
Deep  in  thy  heart  let  its  precepts  dwell. 
Slight  not  its  history;  ponder  its  mystery, 
None   can   e'er   prize   it   too   fondly   or   well. 
Accept  the  glad  tidings,  the  warning,  the  chidings, 
Found  in  this  volume  of  heavenly  lore, 
With  faith  that's  unfailing,  and  love  all  prevailing, 
Trust  in  its  promise  of  life  evermore." 


BOOK  OF  GENESIS  Page  Five 

GENESIS 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Beginnings  50  1:1  Seed  of  Abraham 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The  failure  of  man  under 

Moses  About  1500  B.  C.  every  condition  is  met  by 

the  salvation  of  God. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Original  creation  and  the  renovating  of  earth  for  habitation  of 
man.  Creation  of  animal  and  human  life. 

Characters:  God,  v.  1.  Spirit,  v.  2.  Christ,  v.  26  (See  Col.  1:15-17;  John 
1:3)  first  man  and  woman. 

Conclusion:  An  all-wise,  all-powerful,  loving  God  formed  all  things  perfect  in 
the  beginning.  He  made  man,  the  crown  of  His  creation,  perfect  and 
capable  of  fellowship  with  Himself  and  able  to  enjoy  and  govern  Eden. 

Key  Word:      Beginnings,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  Be  sure  to  compare  John  1:1,  2,  3,  14.  Not  only  was 
Jesus  Christ  present  in  creation,  but  creation  was  bound  up  with  Him  as  its 
secret.  Col.  1:15-17.  See  Heb.  1:3. 

Gen.  1  is  not  a  history  of  the  original  creation,  but  of  a  reconstruction  fol- 
lowing a  cataclysmic  judgment  which  had  befallen  the  original  creation, 
v.  1  Original  creation,  v.  2  Its  destruction,  v.  3  and  on,  Reconstruction. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  God's  Sabbath  rest.  The  creative  act  of  Gen.  1:27  explained.  The 
Edenic  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  Adam,  Eve. 

Conclusion:  Man  is  a  threefold  being,  body,  soul  and  spirit.  The  real  man  is 
soul  and  spirit,  conferred  directly  from  God.  The  body,  the  outward  cas- 
ing, is  dust  and  to  dust  it  returns. 

Key  Word:      Man,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  7,  18,  24. 

Striking  Facts:  Eve,  a  type  of  the  Church,  the  Bride  of  Christ,  was  not  formed 
of  dust,  but  came  from  an  opened  side.  The  Church  is  a  heavenly  Body, 
born  from  the  opened  side  of  the  Second  Adam,  God's  Son. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Temptation  of  Eve  and  entrance  of  sin  into  the  race.  God's  cove- 
nant with  fallen  man  and  the  expulsion  from  Eden. 

Characters:      God,  Satan,  Adam,  Eve. 

Conclusion:  Doubt  lies  at  the  root  of  all  sin.  Altering  the  Word,  v.  1;  adding 
to  the  Word,  v.  3  or  taking  from  the  Word,  v.  5,  are  dangerous  acts. 

Key  Word:      Serpent,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  15,  19,  22,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  Conscience,  the  realization  of  what  man  is,  must  be  met  by 
salvation,  the  revelation  of  what  God  is  in  Grace,  before  peace  can  be 
restored  to  man.  Through  woman  sin  entered  and  by  her  seed  alone  was 
salvation  promised.  Isa.  7:14;  9:6,  7. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  First  sons  of  Adam,  Cain  and  Abel.  Murder  of  Abel.  First  civiliza- 
tion. Birth  of  Seth. 

Characters:      Adam,  Eve,  Cain,  Abel,  Seth. 

Conclusion:  Attainment  can  never  take  the  place  of  Atonement.  Without  the 
recognition  of  Christ  as  our  substitute  and  sacrifice  there  can  be  no 
approach  to  God. 


Page  Six  GENESIS 

Key  Word:      Offering,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  26. 

Striking  Facts:      There  has  been  more  persecution  on  religious  grounds  than 
on  any  other. 

The  fruit  of  Cain's  false  worship  was  to  avoid  the  presence  of  God  and 
to  lose  himself  in  the  world  and  its  pursuits. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Generations  from  Adam  to  Noah. 

Characters:      Adam,   Seth,   Enos,   Cainan,   Mahalaleel,   Jared,    Enoch,    Methuse- 

leh,  Lamech,  Noah. 
Conclusion:      By  man  came  death.      In  Adam  all  die.      In  Christ  shall  all  who 

believe  be  made  alive. 
Key  Word:      Generations,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      24. 
Striking  Facts:      Enoch,  the  seventh  from  Adam  was  translated  and  made  the 

trophy  of  God's  power  over  death. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Flood  announced.     Compromise  of  sons  of  God  with  daughters  of 

men. 

Characters:      Noah,  Shem,  Ham,  Japheth. 
Conclusion:      The  true  believer  can  float  in  peace  on  the  very  waters  by  which 

the  wicked  world  is  judged. 
Key  Word:      Flood,  v.  17. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  18,  22. 
Striking  Facts:      The  plan  whereby  Noah  was  saved  was  no  invention  of  his 

own  but  one  revealed  by  God,  v.  13.     Faith  is  governed  by  the  pure  Word 

of  God.     Heb.   11:7.      The  ark  is  a  type  of  Christ  as  the  refuge  of  His 

people  from  the  judgment. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      The  flood  comes.     Noah  and  family  preserved. 

Characters:      Noah,  his  sons,  and  their  wives. 

Conclusion:      The  blood  of  Christ  keeps  out  the  waters  of  judgment  and  makes 

the  believers  position  "in  Christ"  a  safe  one.     v.  16. 
Key  Word:      Ark,  v.  7. 
Strong  Verses:      16. 
Striking  Facts:      The  hand  that  made  Noah  secure  within,  shut  the  others  out. 

There  was  a  window  in  the  top  of  the  ark  whereby  they  could  look  up  in 

communion    with    God,    knowing    that    no    judgment    remained    for    them. 

Heb.  12:1-2. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Waters  receding,  exit  from  the  ark.     Noah's  altar. 

Characters:      Noah  and  family. 

Conclusion:      When    judgment    days    are    past,    the    believer    will    find    himself 

safely  landed  in  a  better  world. 
Key  WTord:      Rest,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      1,  20. 
Striking  Facts:      Superstition  would  have  worshipped  the  ark  as  the  means  of 

salvation,  but  Noah  looked  to  the  God  back  of  the  means. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Noamic  covenant.     Noah's  shame  and  Ham's  sin. 

Characters:      Noah  and  family. 

Conclusion:      The  believer  is  as  secure  as  God's  promises  are  true.     No  promise 

of  God  can  fail. 
Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses :      9,13. 
Striking  Facts:      The  bow  seen  upon  the  storm  clouds  of  judgment  speaks  of 

the   cross  where   judgment   never   to   be   repeated   has   been   visited    upon 

the  believer's  sins. 


GENESIS  Page  Seven 

CHAPTER   TEN 

Contents:      Establishing  of  the  nations. 

Characters:      Noah,  Shem,  Ham,  Japheth,  Nimrod,  Canaan. 

Conclusion:      God  made  all  nations  of  one  blood  and  determined  the  bounds 

of  their  habitations. 
Key  Word:      Nations,  v.  31. 
Strong  Verses:      32. 
Striking   Facts:      From    the   seven    sons    of    Japheth,    the    Gentile    nations    are 

descended. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  Failure  under  Noamic  covenant.  Tower  of  Babel.  Scattering  of 
the  people.  Ancestry  of  Abram. 

Characters:      Shem,  Terah,  Abram,  Lot,  Sarai. 

Conclusion:  Man  ever  builds  under  the  heavens,  seeking  a  name  and  a  por- 
tion in  the  earth.  The  believer  builds  on  an  imperishable  foundation  laid 
in  heaven  by  God.  Man's  devices  all  fail. 

Key  Word:      Confusion  (Babel)  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  To  exalt  man  without  God  in  Christ  is  to  elevate  him  to  a 
dizzy  height  from  which  he  is  sure  to  fall  into  hopelessness. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Call  of  Abram.     His  worship  and  testing.     The  error  in  Egypt. 

Characters:      Abram,  Sarai,  Lot,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:      The  path  into  which  God  calls  the  believer  may  often  be  trying 

to  the  flesh,  but  this  does  not  necessarily  indicate  that  he  is  out  of  God's 

will. 

Key  Word:      Sojourners,  v.  10. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  8. 
Striking  Facts:      God's  biddings  are  His  enablings.     Better  suffer  in  Canaan  in 

God's  path  than  live  in  luxury  in  Egypt  in  the  devil's  path. 

The  altar  marks  Abraham  as  a  worshipper.      The  tent   marks   him   as   a 

pilgrim.     These  are  distinguishing  marks  of  the  followers  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Abram's  return  to  the  land  and  the  altar.      Separation  from  Lot. 

Lots  backsliding  and  choice  of  the  land. 
Characters:      Abram,  Lot. 
Conclusion:      Material  blessings  are  often  accompanied  by  moral  blight.      Let 

nature  range  where  it  will,  it  can  never  take  faith's  treasure. 
Key  Word:      Separation,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  17,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      Lot  pictures  a  professing  Christian  trying  to  make  the  best 

of  both  worlds,  v.  12. 

He  who  puts  God  and  Christ  first  will  never  be  bereft  of  that  which  is 

best  for  him. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Abram  delivers  Lot.     Abram's"  refusal  to  compromise  with  the  King 

of  Sodom. 

Characters:      King  of  Sodom,  Lot,  Abram,  Melchizedek. 
Conclusion:      Genuine- faith  never  wraps  itself  in  fleece  while  a  brother  shivers 

in  the  cold.     The  farther  a  believer  lives  from  the  world,  the  greater  power 

he  will  have  over  it. 
Key  Word:      Deliverance,  v.  20. 
Strong  Verses:      22,  23. 
Striking  Facts:      The  most  effectual  way  to  serve  the  world  is  to  be  separated 

from  it. 

The  first  mention  in  the  Bible  of  the  kings,  finds  them  fighting.     The  last 

of  Revelation  leaves  them  hard  at  it  still. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Abrahamic  covenant  confirmed  and  spiritual  seed  promised. 
Characters:      Abram,  God. 


Page  Eight  GENESIS 

Conclusion:  The  promises  to  faith  are  more  certain  than  the  conclusions  of 
logic  (v.  25).  Faith  is  the  key  that  unlocks  the  cabinet  of  promises. 

Key  Word:      Seed,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  A  smoking  furnace  suggests  that  the  inheritance 
would  be  reached  by  passing  through  furnaces  of  trial.  The  bright  lamp 
tells  of  God's  relief  which  shines  brighter  as  the  road  gets  darker. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Birth  of  Ishmael. 

Characters:      Sarah,  Abram,  Hagar,  Angel,  Ishmael. 

Conclusion:  The  moment  the  believer  takes  his  eyes  away  from  God's  prom- 
ises he  is  ready  for  mean  devices  of  unbelief  which  bring  him  untold 
suffering. 

Key  Word:      Despised,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 

Striking  Facts:  God  promises — faith  believes — hope  anticipates — patience 
waits.  Heb.  6:  12.  The  heart  prefers  anything  to  the  attitude  of  waiting. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:  The  revelation  of  God.  Abram's  name  changed.  Covenant  con- 
firmed. Circumcision  established.  Promise  of  Isaac. 

Characters:      God,  Abram,  Isaac,  Sarah,  Ishmael. 

Conclusion:  When  man  is  in  the  dust  God  can  talk  to  him  in  grace.  In  spite 
of  the  believer's  mistakes,  God  is  faithful. 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      1,2,19. 

Striking  Facts:  Abram  means  "father  of  altitude."  Abraham  means  "father 
of  breadth."  The  perpendicular  of  justice  is  transversed  by  the  horizontal 
beam  of  embracing  love.  In  the  two  names  we  see  a  picture  of  the  cross. 

CHAPTER  EIGH0HEEN 

Contents:  Abraham,  the  friend  of  God.  Promise  of  the  seed  renewed.  The 
plea  of  Sodom. 

Characters:      God,  Sarah,  Abraham. 

Conclusion:  The  closer  the  believer  walks  with  God,  the  more  he  will  know 
of  God's  mind  about  everything.  The  secrets  of  the  Lord  are  with  those 
who  fear  Him. 

Key  Word:      Communion,  v.  33. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  The  way  to  know  the  divine  purpose  about  the  world  is  not 
to  be  mixed  up  with  its  schemes  and  speculations  but  walking  in  com- 
munion with  Christ. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Destruction  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah.    Lot's  backsliding  and  escape. 

Characters:      Angels,  Lot  and  family,  Abraham,  Moab,  Benammi. 

Conclusion:  No  Christian  can  find  his  pleasure  and  profit  in  the  world  and 
at  the  same  time  bear  effectual  testimony  against  the  world. 

Key  Word:      Destruction,  v.  13. 

Strong  Verses:      27,  29. 

Striking  Facts:  In  gaining  great  worldly  influence,  Lot  had  lost  all  influence 
and  spiritual  power,  even  over  his  own  family,  v.  14.  Choose  between 
the  Word  and  the  world.  No  heart  can  mature  two  crops. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Abraham's  lapse  at  Gerar.     Lying  to  Abimelech  about  his  wife. 

Characters:      Abraham,  Sarah,  Abimelech. 

Conclusion:      Sin   has   many   tools   but   a   lie   is   a   handle    that   fits    them    all. 

If  the  truth  is  stretched,  expect  it  eventually  to  fly  back  and  sting  you. 
Key  Word:      Sin,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  17. 
Striking   Facts:      One    is    often    struck    with    the    amazing    difference    between 

what  God's  people  in  Christ  are  in   His  view  and  what  they  are   in  the 

world's  view.     God  sees  His  own  through  Christ,  although  in  themselves, 

they  are  often  feeble  and  inconsistent. 


GENESIS  Page  Nine 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Birth  of  Isaac.      Bondwoman  and  her  son  cast  out.      Abraham  at 

Beersheba. 

Characters:      Sarah,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Hagar,  Ishmael,  Abimelech. 
Conclusion:      Behind  every  promise  of  God  is  the  purpose  and  power  of  God, 

therefore    faith    should    know    that    God's    bonds    are    as    good    as    ready 

money  "at  the  set  time." 
Key  Word:      Isaac,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      1. 
Striking  Facts:      It  often  involves  a  struggle  to  cast  the  bondwoman  and  her 

son  out.   Gal.    5:1;    Col.    3:9.      Human   religion  would   keep   them   in   the 

house. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Offering  of  Isaac.     Abrahamic  covenant  again  confirmed. 
Characters:      God,  Abraham,  Isaac,  angel. 

Conclusion:  The  man  of  faith  must  keep  his  eye  on  God,  looking  not  at  cir- 
cumstances, nor  pondering  the  results  of  what  God  asks  of  him.  The  trial 

of  faith  is  precious. 
Key  Word:      Worship,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      15,  16,  17,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      Isaac  is  a  type  of  Christ  "obedient  unto   death."      Abraham 

illustrates  the  Father  who  "spared  not  His  own  Son."     The  resurrection 

is  illustrated  in  the  deliverance  of  Isaac. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Death  of  Sarah.     Burial  in  cave  of  Machpelah. 

Characters:      Sarah,  Abraham,  sons  of  Heth,  Ephron. 

Conclusion:  Although  the  man  of  faith  knows  that  in  the  resurrection  glory 
he  shall  be  heir  to  the  land,  until  that  time  he  will  be  no  debtor  to  those 
in  temporary  possession,  (vv.  15,  16.) 

Key  Word:      Burial,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses :      19. 

Striking  Facts:  One  of  the  most  zealously  guarded  places  in  the  world  is  a 
rectangular  building  in  Palestine,  beneath  which  the  cave  of  Machpelah 
is  supposed  to  be,  and  in  which  are  the  remains  of  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob.  God  has  never  let  it  come  into  the  hands  of  those  who  were 
disposed  to  disturb  it. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Bride  of  Isaac  secured  by  Abraham's  servant. 

Characters:      Abraham,  servant,  Bethuel,  Laban,  Sarah,  Isaac. 

Conclusion:  God  leads  in  every  detail  of  our  lives.  The  marriage  which  is 
not  according  to  His  will  as  shown  by  His  Word  and  the  leading  of  His 
Servant,  The  Holy  Spirit,  will  not  -be  blessed  of  Him. 

Key  Word:      Wife,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      27,  40. 

Striking  Facts:  Abraham  stands  for  the  Father  (Matt.  22:2).  The  servant 
stands  for  the  Holy  Spirit  (John  16:13,  14;  1  Cor.  12:7-11).  Rebekah 
stands  for  the  Bride  of  Christ  (Eph.  5:25-32).  Isaac  stands  for  the 
Bridegroom  who  is  coming  to  receive  His  Bride  (1  Thess.  4:14-16). 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Abraham  weds  Keturah.  Isaac  becomes  Abraham's  heir.  Death 
of  Abraham.  Generations  of  Ishmael  and  Isaac.  Birth  of  Esau  and 
Jacob  and  the  sale  of  the  birthright. 

Characters:  Abraham,  Keturah,  Zimram,  Jokshau,  Medan,  Midian,  Ishbak, 
Shuah,  Isaac,  Ishmael,  Esau,  Jacob,  Rebekah. 

Conclusion:  The  natural  man  values  only  what  he  can  see  and  puts  no  value 
on  the  things  of  God.  Many  despise  their  birthright  as  sons  of  God 
because  it  is  a  spiritual  thing,  of  value  only  as  there  is  faith  to  appre- 
hend it. 

KeyWord:      Birthright,  v.  31. 

Strong  Verses:      23. 

Striking  Facts:      Esau  is  a  type  of  the  man  of  the  earth,  Heb.  12:16,  17.     In 


Page  Ten  GENESIS 

many  respects  a  nobler  man  than  Jacob,  yet  the  fact  that  he  was  destitute 
of  faith  caused  him  to  despise  his  birthright.  God's  choice  of  His  children 
does  not  depend  on  their  character,  but  their  faith. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:  Covenant  confirmed  to  Isaac.  Isaac's  lapse  at  Gerar,  Isaac  as  a 
well  digger. 

Characters:      Isaac,  Rebekah,  Abimelech,  Ahuzzath,  Phichol,  Esau,  Judith. 

Conclusion:  It  is  peculiarly  comforting  to  see  that  God  has  ever  been  dealing 
with  men  of  like  passions  as  we  are  and  patiently  bearing  with  the  same 
failures.  When  the  believer  falls,  God  is  still  with  him. 

KeyWord:      Blessed,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses :      2,  24,  25,  28. 

Striking  Facts:  There  is  a  great  difference  between  God's  blessing  through 
Christ  and  His  presence.  One  cannot  always  judge  of  a  believer's  spirit- 
ual condition  by  their  circumstances,  but  God  has  a  purpose  in  all  His 
dealings. 

Before  the  chapter  closes,  we  see  Isaac  coming  into  God's  presence  as  well 
as  His  blessing,  v.  24. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Fraudulent  methods  of  Jacob  in  getting  Isaac's  blessing.  Remorse 
of  Esau. 

Characters:      Isaac,  Esau,  Jacob,  Rebekah. 

Conclusion:  Human  nature  in  prone  to  scheme  to  bring  about  what  God  would 
do  without  any  scheming.  He  does  not  need  our  cunning  or  deceit  to 
accomplish  His  purpose.  Seek  spiritual  blessings  in  the  right  way  or  get 
with  them  years  of  sorrow  afterward. 

Key  Word:      Supplanter,  v.  36. 

Strong  Verses:      28,  29,  33. 

Striking  Facts:  One  only  needs  to  read  the  history  of  Jacob  to  learn  that  it 
does  not  pay  to  take  things  into  one's  own  hands.  The  more  pressing 
the  temptation  to  take  things  out  of  His  hands,  the  richer  will  be  the 
blessing  of  remaining  in  His  hands  and  awaiting  His  time. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Jacob  at  Bethel  and  the  Abrahamic  covenant  confirmed  to  him  in 

a  dream. 

Characters:      Isaac,  Jacob,  Laban,  Esau,  Ishmael,  Mahalath,  angels. 
Conclusion:      The   believer  should   realize   that  he   is   ever   in   God's   presence. 

However  no  heart  can  feel  at  home  in  His  presence  until  emptied  of  self 

and  broken. 

Key  Word:      Bethel  (house  of  God),  v.  19. 
Strong  Verses:      12,  15,  22. 
Striking  Facts:      Bethel,   to  the  Christian,   stands   for   a  realization,   although 

often  imperfect,  of  the  presence  of  God  through  Christ,  and  the  spiritual 

contents  of  faith. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Jacob  and  Laban,  two  bargain  makers,  meet. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Laban,  Rachael,  Leah,  Reuben,  Levi,  Judah. 

Conclusion:      The  believer  who  has  erred  may  not  be  forsaken  of  God,  but  he 

is  permitted  to  reap  the  shame  and  sorrow  of  his  self-chosen  way.     Matt. 

7:2. 

Key  Word:      Beguiled,  v.   25. 
Strong  Verses:      20. 
Striking  Facts:      Jacob  at  Haran,  pictures  the  nation  descended  from  him  at 

the  present  time.     He  was  away  from  the  place  of  blessing,  without  an 

altar,  but  yet  under  the  covenant  care  of  Jehovah   and  eventually  to  be 

brought  back. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:  Jacob's  posterity  in  Padan-aram.  Another  bargain  between  Jacob 
and  Laban. 


GENESIS  Page  Eleven 

Characters:      Rachael,  Jacob,  Laban,  Leah,  Joseph. 

Conclusion:      The  toiling  and  scheming  of  men  is  the  result  of  ignorance  of 

God's  Grace,  and  inability  to  put  implicit  confidence  in  God's  promises. 
Key  Word:      Blessed,  v.  27. 
Strong  Verses:      27. 
Striking  Facts:      The   success   of   Jacob's   policy   was   not   sufficient   to   justify 

it,  had  it  been  unjust  toward  the  shrewd  Laban,  but  evidently  it  was  not 

unjust,  for  see  31:12. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Jacob's  resolution   to   return.      Laban's   hot  pursuit;    their  quarrel 

and  final  agreement. 

Characters:      Laban,  Jacob,  Rachael,  Leah. 
Conclusion:      The  safety  of  believers  under  trying  circumstances  is  much  due 

to   the   hold   God   has   on   the   consciences   of   bad   men.      In   the   path   of 

obedience,  we  may  count  on  God's  care. 
KeyWord:      Plight,  v.  21. 
Strong  Verses:      49. 
Striking  Facts:      The  settlement  of  a  quarrel  is  a  jewel  so  precious,  one  can 

scarcely  buy  it  too   dearly.     While  the  believer  may  resent  injuries,   he 

is  not  to  avenge  them  but  remember  that  God  is  the  avenger. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:  Jacob  becomes  Israel.  Preparation  for  meeting  Esau.  Wrestling 
against  the  angel. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Esau,  angel. 

Conclusion:  Either  we  lean  on  God  or  on  our  own  plans.  The  arrangements 
of  unbelief  and  impatience  prevent  God  acting  for  us  and  He  must  bring 
us  to  the  end  of  our  own  strength. 

Key  Word:      Afraid,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      24,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  To  be  alone  with  Christ  is  the  only  way  to  arrive  at  a  know- 
ledge of  ourselves  and  our  ways.  Jacob  was  a  wrestled-with  man,  and 
until  the  seat  of  his  own  strength  was  touched,  he  did  not  reach  the  place 
of  blessing. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Jacob  meets  Esau.     Settles  in  Canaan. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Esau,  Leah,  Rachael,  Joseph. 

Conclusion:  How  groundless  are  all  the  Christian's  fears  and  how  useless 
all  his  self-devised  plans.  "When  a  man's  ways  please  the  Lord,  He  mak- 
eth  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with  him." 

Key  Word:      Meeting,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

Striking  Facts:  "Acquaint  now  thyself  with  Him  and  be  at  peace."  Failure 
in  this,  causes  one,  on  every  fresh  occasion,  to  doubt  and  hesitate  not- 
withstanding the  evidence  of  God's  faithfulness  through  Christ. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Harvest  of  evil  years  comes  on  Jacob  and  family.     Dinah  defiled 

and  the  bloody  revenge. 

Characters:      Dinah,  Jacob,  Hamor,  sons  of  Jacob,  Simeon,  Levi. 
Conclusion:      Untaught  maidens  who  go  out  to  "gad"  with  the  daughters  of 

the  land  fall  into  a  snare  and  involve  their  relatives  in  great  trouble. 
Key  Word:      Defiled,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      19. 
Striking  Facts:      God  had  directed  Jacob  to  Bethel.      He  settled  at  Shechem. 

Partial  obedience  to  Christ  is  responsible  for  much  trouble  which  befalls 

Christian  families. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Jacob's  return  to  Bethel  and  renewed  communion.  Death  of 
Rachael.  Birth  of  Benjamin.  Death  of  Isaac. 


Page  Twelve  GENESIS 

Characters:      Jacob,    Deborah,    Rebekah,    Rachael,    Benjamin,    Reuben,    Bilhah, 

Isaac,  Esau. 
Conclusion:      There  is  no  perfect  communion  with  God  until  all  idols  are  put 

away  and  we  come  into  His  presence  as  He  directs. 
Key  Word:      Altar,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      "Arise  and  go  to  Bethel."  God  is  ever  calling  the  soul  back 

to  Himself.      Christ  says,   "Remember  from   whence   thou   art   fallen   and 

repent  and  do  thy  first  works." 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      Generations  of  Esau  and  their  settlements. 

Characters:      Esau,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  Though  one  have  not  a  spiritual  right  by  promise,  they  may 
still  have,  in  the  mercy  of  God,  temporary  rights  to  rich  estates  in  this 
world.  "But  what  is  a  man  profited  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose 
his  own  soul?" 

Key  Word:      Generations,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  Edom,  a  name  by  which  the  foolish  bargain  was  perpetuated, 
means  "red  pottage."  If  men  sell  their  birthright  in  Christ  for  a  mess  of 
pottage,  they  must  thank  themselves  when  afterwards,  it  is  remembered 
against  them  to  their  reproach. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Generations  of  Joseph.     Joseph  hated  and  rejected  by  his  brothers. 

Cast  into  pit.     Carried  away  by  Gentiles. 
Characters:      Jacob,  Joseph,  Reuben,  Judah,  Potiphar. 
Conclusion:      Envy   is   a   canker   to   the    soul    and   hates    those    excellencies    it 

cannot  reach.      "Hatred  stirreth   up  strife"   and  left  to  itself,   only  stops 

at  murder. 

Key  Word:      Envied,  v.  11. 
Strong  Verses:      4. 
Striking  Facts:      Joseph,  a  marvelous  type  of  Christ.     Rejected  because  of  his 

testimony  to  his  brethren,  sent  by  the  Father  on  a  mission  of  love,  cast 

into  a  pit,  sold  to  Gentiles,  the  Gentiles  blessed  through  him. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Shame  of  Judah  and  his  sons. 

Characters:      Judah,  Hirah,  Er,  Onen,  Tamar. 

Conclusion:      The   sins   which   dishonor   and   defile   the   body   are   evidences   of 

vile  affection  and  are  very  displeasing  to   God,   often  visited  with   quick 

punishment. 

Key  Word:      Shamed,  v.  23. 
Strong  Verses:      10,  26. 
Striking  Facts:      It  is  evident  that  our  Lord  sprang  out  of  Judah.     Heb.  7:14. 

Divine  grace  is  seen  rising  above  man's  sin  to  bring  about  His  purpose. 

The  Spirit  is  conducting  us  by  this  chapter,  along  the  line  through  which, 

on  the  flesh  side,   our  Lord  came.      Man  would  never  have  devised  such 

a  genealogy. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:      Joseph  tested  in  Egypt  in  the  house  of  Potiphar. 

Characters:      Joseph,  Potiphar,  Potiphar's  wife,  prison  keeper. 

Conclusion:      Loyalty  to   God   may  bring  a   believer   into   serious   testings   but 

the    almighty   grace    of    God    will    enable    him    to    overcome    the    enemy's 

assaults.      Though   stripped   of   possessions,    we   need   not   be   stripped    of 

virtue. 

Key  Word:  Goodly,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:  2,  3,  21. 
Striking  Facts:  The  one  taken  from  the  pit,  into  which  he  came  through 

rejection,  is  coming  to  the  place  of  ruler,  the  channel  of  blessing  to  the 

Gentiles,  sustainer  of  life  to  the  brethren.     (Christ). 


GENESIS  Page  Thirteen 

CHAPTER  FORTY 

Contents:      Joseph  in  prison  in  Egypt.     Interprets  dreams. 

Characters:      Butler,  baker,  captain  of  guard,  Joseph,  Potiphar. 

Conclusion:      Whatever  our  lot  in  God's  providence,  we  may  ever  be  a  blessing 

to  companions  in  tribulation  by  showing  a  concern  in  their  troubles  and 

doing  our  best,  by  God's  help,  to  lift  their  burdens. 
Key  Word:      Interpretation,  v.  8. 
Strong  Verses:      8. 
Striking  Facts:      Bad    dreams    cannot   be    given    a    good    interpretation.      If   a 

minister    of    Christ    deals    faithfully    with    God's    message    and    it    proves 

unpleasant,  it  is  not  his  fault. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-ONE 

Contents:      Pharaoh's   dream.      Joseph's   exaltation   in    Egypt   and   his    Gentile 

bride. 

Characters:      Pharaoh,  Joseph,  butler,  Asenath,  Manasseh,  Ephriam. 
Conclusion:      The    faithful    believer   will    be   abundantly   recompensed    for    the 

disgrace  he  has  patiently  suffered  and  his  righteousness  will  shine  forth 

so  all  will  know  that  God  is  with  him. 
Key  Word:      Exalted  (set  over),  v.  41. 
Strong  Verses:      38,  39. 
Striking  Facts:      As  Joseph  solved  Pharaoh's  vexing  problems,  so  Jesus  relieves 

the  heart  of  its  burdens.     Rejected,  exalted,  Jesus  is  now  taking  a  Gentile 

Bride  to  be  with  Him  when  the  "Time  of  Jacob's  trouble"   comes   upon 

the  earth. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-TWO 

Contents:      Joseph  preserves  his  brethren  from  the  famine. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Joseph,  brothers. 

Conclusion:  Times  of  testing  await  those  who  are  guilty  and  often  prove 
the  effectual,  means  of  awakening  conscience  and  bringing  sin  to  remem- 
brance. 

Keyword:      Proved  (tested),  v.  15. 

Strong  Verses:      8,23,24. 

Striking  Facts:  While  Jesus  is  unrecognized  by  His  brethren,  the  Jews,  they 
are  passing  through  deep  troubles,  but  a  tribulation  awaits  them  which 
will  bring  them  to  the  feet  of  Him  Whom  they  crucified. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-THREE 

Contents:      Second  visit  of  Joseph's  brethren  to  Egypt  in  their  necessity. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Benjamin,  Joseph,  Simeon,  Judah,  steward. 

Conclusion:  The  way  to  find  mercy  with  men  is  to  seek  it  of  God  Who  has 
all  hearts  in  His  hand  and  who  works  in  strange  ways  for  His  children, 
when  they  know  it  not. 

Key  Word:      Mercy,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      14,  23,  29. 

Striking  Facts:  Before  Him,  who  in  their  blindness  they  do  not  know,  the 
Jews  will  plead  for  their  Benjamin  who  has  been  lost  to  them,  and  in  the 
agony  of  the  hour,  the  opened  heavens  will  reveal  the  Christ  they  cruci- 
fied, as  their  Deliverer.  The  sufferer  and  the  conqueror  are  one. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Joseph's  brethren   further   tested.      Arrest   on   charge   of   taking   a 

cup. 

Characters:      Joseph,  Judah,  Benjamin,  steward. 
Conclusion:      Even  in  afflictions  wherein  the  believer  thinks  himself  wronged 

by  men,  he  must  own  that  God  has  a  righteous  purpose  and  possibly  it  is 

to  make  him  confess  his  sin  and  develope  his  better  nature. 
Key  Word:      Sorrow,  v.  31. 
Strong  Verses:      16,  33. 
Striking  Facts:      As   Joseph  laid  a  plan  to   bring  about  full   confession   from 

his  brethren  that  they  might  come  into  fellowship  with   him,   so   Christ 


Page  Fourteen  GENESIS 

will   deal  with   the   Jews,   culminating  in   a   great   day  of   confession   and 
mourning. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Joseph  reveals  himself  to  his  brethren  whom  he  blesses  and  sends 
back  to  Egypt. 

Characters:      Joseph,  brothers,  Pharaoh,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  "He  worketh  all  things  together  for  good  to  them  that  love 
God  and  are  called  according  to  His  purpose."  He  can  work  wonders  for 
His  own,  when  He  has  surrendered  men  through  whom  to  work. 

Key  Word:      Revealed  (made  known),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  7,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  A  sacred  scene  is  coming  for  Israel  (Ezek.  22:19)  when 
Christ  shall  be  revealed.  As  they  stand  self-condemned  before  Him,  He 
will  pour  balm  into  their  hearts  (Zech.  13:1;  12:9)  and  will  show  all  to 
have  been  decreed  for  their  blessing  (Rom.  11:11-12). 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SIX 

Contents:      Jacob's  journey  to  Egypt  and  meeting  with  Joseph. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Joseph,  brothers,  their  families,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  A  glorious  meeting  day  is  coming  after  the  trials  and  mistakes 
of  earth.  Jesus  prepares  a  place  for  the  believer  and  comes  again  to 
receive  him  unto  Himself,  that  where  He  is,  there  they  may  be  also. 

Key  Word:      Meeting,  v.  29. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  3,  4. 

Striking  Facts:  The  absolute  will  of  God  for  Israel  was  in  Canaan,  not 
Egypt  (26:1-5).  His  permissive  will  allows  them  to  settle  in  Goshen  and 
as  far  as  possible  He  blesses  them  there.  The  Jews  sidestepped  God's 
absolute  will  by  rejecting  the  Messiah,  but  a  day  of  mingled  joy  and 
mourning  awaits  those  living  at  His  second  advent. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Jacob  and  descendants  exalted  in  Goshen. 

Characters:      Pharaoh,  Joseph,  brothers,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  Notwithstanding  former  unkindnesses  received,  the  believer  who 
is  prospered  in  this  world,  must  not  overlook  nor  despise  his  poor  rela- 
tives in  their  need.  The  measure  of  a  truly  great  man  is  the  way  he  treats 
men  who  in  themselves  have  been  small. 

Key  Word:      Nourished,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  29,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ  will,  at  His  second  advent,  present  His  brethren,  the 
Jews,  in  the  court  of  heaven,  restoring  them  to  the  place  of  blessing 
in  the  earth.  As  Jacob  here  blesses  King  Pharaoh,  so  Israel's  portion 
in  the  Millenium  will  be  that  of  blessing  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Jacob  on  his  death  bed  blesses  Joseph's  sons. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Joseph,  Ephriam,  Manasseh,  Reuben,  Simeon,  Rachael. 

Conclusion:      God  in  His  grace,  does  not  always  observe  the  order  of  nature 

in  bestowing  His  blessings,  nor  prefer  those  whom  we  think  fittest  to  be 

preferred,  but  as  it  pleases  Him,  He  chooses  the  weak  to  confound  the 

mighty,  thus  His  grace  becomes  more  illustrious. 
Key  Word:      Blessed,  v.  15. 
Strong  Verses:      21. 
Striking   Facts:      v.    17.      When  the   tribes  were   mustered   in   the   wilderness, 

Ephriam  was  more  numerous  than  Manasseh  (Num.  1:32-35;  2:18-20)  and 

is  named  first  (Psa.  80:2). 

CHAPTER  FORTY-NINE 

Contents:      Jacob's  dying  blessing,  prophetic  of  the  tribes  of  Israel. 
Characters:      Jacob,  twelve  sons. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  great  blessing  to  attend  upon  Godly  parents  in  their 
last  hours  that  we  might  learn  how  to  die  as  well  as  live,  and  profit  by 


GENESIS  Page  Fifteen 

their  reproofs,  counsels,  and  comforts.  Though  they  cannot  prophecy, 
they  can  tell  us  from  God's  Word  what  will  befall  us  in  the  last  day 
if  we  do  not  do  the  will  of  the  Father. 

KeyWord:      Prophecy  (shall  befall),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  The  cunning,  shifting  and  often  faithless  Jacob,  the  sup- 
planter,  bargain  maker,  comes  forth  in  the  calm  elevation  of  faith  to  bestow 
blessings  and  impart  dignities.  This  will  be  Israel's  part  in  the  last 
great  dispensation  of  earth,  after  Christ  has  returned. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY 

Contents:      Jacob's  burial.      Joseph's  death. 

Characters:      Jacob,  Joseph,  brothers. 

Conclusion:  As  it  is  an  honor  to  die  lamented,  so  it  is  a  duty  to  honor  the 
dead  who  have  been  useful  in  the  Lord.  Sincere  and  humble  lament  over 
Godly  men  is  proper,  for  their  death  is  a  great  loss  to  any  place. 

Key  Word:      Mourning,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  19,  20,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  Finding  man  in  a  beautiful  Eden,  Genesis  1,  we  leave  him  in 
chapter  50  in  a  coffin  in  Egypt. 


Page  Sixteen  BOOK  OF  EXODUS 

EXODUS 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Covenants  40  12:23  Lamb  of  God. 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Redemption    is    by    the 
Moses  About  1500  B.  C.  blood   and   that   alone. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Israel  in  Egypt  and  their  bondage. 

Characters:      Joseph,  Pharaoh,  Shiprah,  Puah. 

Conclusion:  God's  providences  may  at  times  seem  to  thwart  His  promises 
that  His  peoples'  faith  may  be  tried  and  His  power  the  more  magnified. 
In  their  persecutions,  He  will  sustain  all  who  trust  Him. 

Key  Word:      Bondage,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses :      17,20,21. 

Striking  Facts:  It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  persecutors  of  Israel  throughout 
the  centuries  to  represent  them  as  a  dangerous  people,  hurtful  to  provinces 
and  untrustworthy,  as  a  pretense  for  barbarous  treatment.  God's  coun- 
sels stand  and  they  still  increase. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Deliverer  prepared  for  Israel.     Moses'  birth,  boyhood  and  marriage. 

Characters:  Levi's  daughter,  Pharaoh's  daughter,  mother  of  Moses,  sister, 
Moses,  Pharaoh,  seven  daughters  of  priests,  shepherds,  Reuel,  Zipporah, 
Gershom. 

Conclusion:  When  men  are  plotting  the  ruin  of  God's  people,  God  is  planning 
His  peoples'  salvation.  One  apparently  marked  for  obscurity  and  poverty 
may  be  destined  to  rise  before  the  world  to  show  God's  power.  Even  ene- 
mies may  be  used  to  carry  out  God's  purposes. 

Key  Word:      Moses,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      24,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  Moses  is  a  striking  type  of  Christ.  Rejected  by  Israel,  he 
turns  to  the  Gentiles.  In  his  rejection,  he  takes  a  Gentile  bride,  then 
later  appears  as  Israel's  deliverer  and  is  accepted. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Moses  called  as  deliverer.     The  burning  bush. 

Characters:      Jethro,  Moses,  angel. 

Conclusion:  Those  qualified  for  great  service  may  expect  for  a  time  to  be 
confined  to  obscurity  for  special  preparation  and  the  vision  of  God's  pur- 
pose. If  God  gives  opportunity  and  heart  to  serve  Him,  it  is  an  ernest  of 
His  power  to  accomplish  the  work. 

Key  Word:      Deliverance,  vv.  8,  10. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  12,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  The  burning  bush  pictures  Israel  in  the  furnace,  yet  never 
consumed.  God's  relations  with  Israel  are  eternal,  v.  15. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Moses'  objections.  Unbelief  of  the  people  and  Moses'  lack  of 
eloquence.  Return  to  Egypt.  Message  delivered  to  elders. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Jethro,  Zipporah,  elders. 

Conclusion:  Unbelief  refuses  to  believe  God  because  it  does  not  find  in  self  a 
reason  for  believing.  With  God,  the  merest  stammerer  may  prove  an 
efficient  minister,  neither  need  he  be  uneasy  as  to  the  reception  of  the 
message. 

Key  Word:      Spokesman,  v.  16. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  12,  31. 

Striking  Facts:  The  rod,  symbol  of  power  in  Christ's  hand,  was  not  wrenched 
away  from  Moses,  but  cast  down  by  Moses.  It  remained  a  serpent  only 


EXODUS  Page  Seventeen 

while  out  of  his  hand.      The  rod,   temporarily  out  of  Christ's  hand,   will 
soon  be  taken  up  again  and  Satan's  power  will  be  over. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents: — Moses'  first  contest  with  Pharaoh. 

Characters:      Moses,  Aaron,  Pharaoh,  taskmasters. 

Conclusion:      God,    in    coming    toward    His    people    in    mercy    may    sometimes 

employ  strange  methods  so  that  people  will  think  themselves  ill-treated. 

God  suffers  it  to  be  so  that  we  may  learn  to  cease  from  man  and  cease 

depending  on  second  causes. 
Key  Word:      Burdens,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 
Striking  Facts:      Those  called  to  public  service   for  Christ  may  expect   to  be 

tried,  not  only  by  the  proud  threats  of  enemies,  but  the  unjust,   unkind 

censures  of  friends  who  judge  by  outward  appearances. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Jehovah's  answer  to  Moses'  first  prayer.  Covenant  renewed.  Fam- 
ilies of  Israel.  Moses'  commission  renewed. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  Man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity  of  helping  and  saving. 
God's  covenants  are  as  firm  as  the  power  and  truth  of  God  can  make 
them  and  we  may  venture  upon  all  His  promises. 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses :      3,  6,  7,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  Disconsolate  spirits  often  cause  us  to  put  from  us  the 
comforts  we  are  entitled  to  in  Christ  and  we  stand  in  our  own  light.  If 
we  indulge  in  fretfulness,  we  lose  the  comfort  of  His  word  and  must  thank 
ourselves  if  we  go  comfortless. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Contest  with  Pharaoh.     First  plague.     Water  turned  to  blood. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Pharaoh,  magician. 

Conclusion:  We  see  God's  almighty  power,  the  unstability  of  all  things  under 
the  sun  and  the  changes  we  may  meet  with  in  them.  What  is  water 
today  may  be  blood  tomorrow.  Sin  turns  man's  comforts  into  crosses. 

Key  WTord:      Smitten  (waters),  vv.  1,  17. 

Strong  Verses:      1,5,17. 

Striking  Facts:  Satanic  resistance  to  God's  testimony  of  His  Son  is  often 
offered  by  those  who  have  "a  form  of  godliness  without  the  power  thereof." 
The  magicians  finally  failed,  proving  (8:7)  their  tricks  "lying  wonders" 
(Rev.  13:15). 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Plagues  of  frogs,  lice,  flies.     Pharaoh's  compromising  offej*. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Pharaoh,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      If  God  be  against  us,   all  creatures  can  be  made  to   be  at  war 

with    us.      God   can,    as   He   pleases,    arm    the    smallest   parts    of    creation 

against   men.      He   may   choose    contemptible   instruments    to    defeat   one, 

that  He  might  magnify  His  own  power. 
Key  Word:      Smitten,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      1,  2,  19. 
Striking  Facts:      Pharaoh's  compromises  are  types  of  those  Satan  makes  with 

the  Christian.     "Be  a  Christian  but  stay  in  Egypt,  or  at  least,  don't  be  so 

narrow  as  to  come  out  entirely  from  the  world." 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Plagues  of  murraine,  boils  and  hail. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Pharaoh,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  The  creature  is  made  subject  to  vanity  by  reason  of  man's  sins, 
liable  to  serve  man's  wickedness  or  share  his  punishment.  When  judg- 
ments are  abroad,  they  may  fall  both  on  righteous  and  wicked  but  they 
are  not  the  same  to  one  as  the  other  in  the  final  reckoning. 

Key  Word:      Smitten,  vv.  27,  15. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:      v.  12.     The  Lord  hardened  his  heart.     Before  this,  Pharaolj ; 


Page  Eighteen  EXODUS 

hardened  his  own  heart,  resisting  God's  grace.  There  is  a  time  when  God 
gives  one  up  to  their  own  reprobate  mind.  Wilful  hardness  is  sooner  or 
later  punished  with  judicial  hardness.  If  men  persist  in  shutting  their 
eyes,  God  will  close  them. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Plagues  of  locusts  and  darkness. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  God's  terms  of  reconciliation  are  fixed  and  cannot  be  disputed 
or  lowered.  Men  must  meet  the  demand  of  God's  will  or  God  will  permit 
their  delusions  and  answer  them  according  to  their  sin. 

Key  Word:      Smitten,  v.  21. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  17,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Godly  men  make  a  subtle  compromise  if  they  desire 
for  their  children,  a  position  in  the  world,  or  (v.  24)  if  they  fail  to  con- 
secrate all  their  possessions  along  with  themselves  to  Christ. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Last  plague.     Death  of  firstborn  prophesied. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:      Persistent  enemies  of  God  and  His  people  will  be  made  to  fall 

under  at  last  and  those  who  have  approved  themselves,   will  look   great 

in  the  eyes  of  those  who  have  viewed  them  with  contempt. 
Key  Word:      Death,  vv.  1,  5. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      In  some  way,   God  will  always  redress  the  injured,   who   in 

humble  silence,  commit  their  cause  to  Him,  and  in  the  end,  they  will  not 

be  losers  by  their  adherance  to  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Deliverance  for  Israel  through  the  Passover. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  Deliverance  for  the  believer  is  based  entirely  upon  the  shedding 
of  the  blood  of  a  divinely  appointed  substitute  and  its  application  to  the 
heart  once  for  all.  If  death  has  taken  place  for  us,  it  cannot  come  to  us. 

Key  Word:      Passover,  v.  13. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  13,  14.  27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Secured  by  the  blood,  the  believer  feeds  on  the  Person 
of  the  Lamb  of  God,  roast  with  fire,  not  raw.  If  Christ  is  not  seen  as 
the  One  subjected  to  the  fires  of  God's  wrath  against  sin,  one  cannot  feed 
upon  Him.  He  cannot  be  an  example  if  He  is  not  first  an  atoning 
sacrifice. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:  Firstborn  set  apart  for  Jehovah.  Directions  for  feast  of  unleav- 
ened bread  and  consecration  of  males. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joseph. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  should  retain  remembrance  of  God's  great  deliver- 
ance and  to  impress  it  on  the  heart,  should  use  the  appointed  means  for 
preserving  remembrance.  So,  under  the  Gospel,  Christ  said,  "This  do  in 
remembrance  of  me." 

Key  Word:      Remember,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  16,  21,  22. 

Striking  Facts:  That  which  by  God's  special  mercy  has  in  Christ  been  spared 
to  us  should  be  peculiarly  dedicated  to  God's  honor.  God  who  is  first  and 
best  should  have  our  first  and  best. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      God's  power  exerted  to  redeem  Israel.     Passing  the  Red  Sea. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Pharaoh,  angel. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  cannot  go  ahead  in  the  strength  of  Christ  until  he 
has  learned  to  stand  still  in  his  own  helplessness.  God  can  then  place 
Himself  between  us  and  our  circumstances  and  wonderfully  deliver. 

Key  Word:      Saved,  v.  30. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  14,  19,  30,  31. 

Striking  Facts:      By  the  blood,  God  comes  between  us  and  our  sins.     By  His 


EXODUS  Page  Nineteei 

presence,  if  we  will  permit,  He  will  come  between  us  and  every  overcom- 
ing circumstance.  The  cross  separates  from  sin;  the  cloud  from  circum- 
stances. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      The  song  of  the  redeemed. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Miriam. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  love  God  triumph  in  His  triumphs  and  what  is 
His  honor  is  their  joy.  Our  first  thought  should  be  to  give  glory  to 
God. 

Key  Word:      Triumph,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  6,  7,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  Bitter  waters  (v.  23)  in  the  path  of  God's  leading,  remind 
us  of  the  trials  that  come  to  God's  people  for  their  edification,  not  punish- 
ment. The  tree  (cross,  Gal.  3:13)  cast  into  the  bitter  waters,  will  make 
them  all  sweet. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Murmuring  of  the  people.     Manna  and  quails  given  by  God. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  is  apt  to  forget  a  thousand  mercies  in  the  presence 
of  one  trifling  privation.  God  is  longsuffering.  Better  to  be  in  a  desert 
with  God  than  in  the  brick  kilns  of  Egypt  with  Pharaoh. 

Key  Word:      Murmuring,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  7,  12. 

Striking  Facts:  Jesus,  the  Bread  of  Life  (John  6)  is  the  true  wilderness  bread 
for  believers,  ministered  by  the  Spirit  through  the  Word.  Christ  may 
be  partaken  of  unreservedly  but  we  have  no  more  of  Him  than  faith 
appropriates,  v.  16. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Smitten  rock  at  Meribah. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua,  Aaron,  Hur. 

Conclusion:  Fed  by  the  Bread  of  Life;  refreshed  by  the  Water  of  Life  (John 
7:37)  means  victory  for  the  believer  in  every  conflict  with  the  world, 
the  flesh  and  the  devil. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah-nissi  (The  Lord  our  banner),  v.  15. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ  is  the  Rock  (1  Cor.  10:4)  He  was  smitten,  and  result- 
ing from  His  finished  work  was  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  giving 
power  to  all  those  who  believe. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Moses  joined  by  his  wife  and  children.  Judges  selected  to  solve 
the  problems  of  the  people. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Jethro,  Zipporah,   Gershom,   Eliezer. 

Conclusion:  Telling  of  God's  wondrous  works  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying 
What  we  have  the  joy  of,  let  God  have  the  praise  of,  thereby  confirming 
others  to  faith  and  encouraging  them  to  real  worship. 

KeyWord:      Told,  v.  8  (testimony). 

Strong  Verses :      8,  9,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  It  will  be  noticed  (Num.  11:14-17)  that  God  ignored  Jethro's 
counsel  and  his  man-made  organization,  putting  in  its  place,  His  own 
order  (v.  18).  We  are  not  called  to  service  on  the  ground  of  our  ability, 
but  Christ's  ability.  Phil.  4:13. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Israel  at  Sinai  and  the  preparation  for  receiving  the  law. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      Humble  reverence  should  possess  the  minds  of  those  who  draw 

near  to  God  for  we  are  sinners  in  the  presence  of  a  holy  and  righteous 

Judge;  mean  creatures  before  the  Mighty  Creator. 
KeyWord:      Ready,  vv.  11,  15. 
Strong  Verses:      5,  6. 
Striking  Facts:       (Cp.  1  Pet.  2:9;   Rev.  1:6;   5:10  with  Ex.  19:5).     Note  that 


Page  Twenty  EXODUS 

what  under  law,  was  conditional,  under  Grace  is  freely  given  in  Christ 
to  every  believer.  Note  also  that  God  did  not  impose  law  until  it  was  pro- 
posed and  accepted  by  man. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Ten  commandments  delivered  to  Moses  at  Sinai. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  A  holy  and  righteous  God  has  holy  and  righteous  standards. 
Those  who  love  God  will  constantly  endeavor  to  live  as  He  requires, 
enabled  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Key  Word:      Commands,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      3-17. 

Striking  Facts:  Law  proposes  life  and  righteousness  as  the  end  to  be  attained 
by  keeping  it,  but  proves  at  the  outset  that  man  is  in  a  state  of  death 
(Rom.  5:20;  7:7,  13;  3:20).  Life  and  righteousness  cannot  come  by 
that  which  only  curses,  but  only  through  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  servants.     Injuries  to  the  person. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      The  great  God  of  heaven  stoops  to   take   interest   in  the   detail 

affairs  between  man  and  man  and  makes  regulations  even  as  to  the  loss 

of  a  tooth. 

Key  Word:      Judgments,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      12. 
Striking  Facts:      God  who  gives  and  maintains  life,  by  His  law  would  protect  it. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Judgments  on  rights  of  property;   crimes  against  humanity. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Man's  attitude  to  his  fellow  man  will  be  based  on  his  attitude 

to  God  and  His  law. 
KeyWord:      Judgments,  21:1. 
Strong  Verses:      29,  30,  31. 
Striking  Facts:      One  is  struck  by  the  number  of  things  we  are  told  NOT  to  do. 

These  negative  commands  reveal  human  nature  to  itself.     All  is  changed 

in  the  New  Testament  through  Christ's  sacrifice. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:  Judgments  on  the  national  feasts.  Instructions  concerning  the  con- 
quest of  Canaan. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  God's  angels  will  keep  the  believer  in  the  way,  though  it  lay 
through  the  enemy's  country  and  will  bring  him  into  the  place  God  has 
prepared.  A  precept  of  obedience  goes  with  every  promise. 

Key  Word:      Judgments,  21:1. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  12,  20,  22,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  Familiarity  with  idolaters  is  forbidden  (32,  33).  The 
believer  by  familiar  converse  with  false  worshippers,  is  often  drawn  into 
worship  with  them  and  his  detestation  of  sin  wears  off. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Order  of  worship  prescribed,  pending  the  building  of  the  taber- 
nacle. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Nadab,  Abihu,  elders,  Joshua,  Hur. 

Conclusion:  The  unapproachable  glory  of  God  tells  a  sinner  to  keep  off, 
but  the  altar  shows  him  how  he  can  feast  and  worship  in  God's  presence. 

Key  Word:      Worship,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  We  never  hear  "draw  near"  (Heb.  10:22)  from  the  shadows 
of  the  law.  For  Christ's  work  was  not  then  done  which  entitled  the  sin- 
ner to  draw  near.  Law  always  says  "worship  afar  off." 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Moses  in  the  mount;  first  directions  concerning  the  tabernacle. 
Characters:      God,  Moses. 


EXODUS  Page  Twenty-One 

Conclusion:  The  only  way  for  God  and  man  to  meet  is  in  the  precise  way 
and  place  which  He  has  appointed  (v.  22).  When  a  righteous  God  and  a 
ruined  sinner  meet  on  a  bloodsprinkled  platform,  all  is  well.  (1  Pet. 
1:18,  19). 

Key  Word:      Pattern,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

Striking  Facts:  The  tabernacle  in  every  detail  foreshadows  Christ.  Gold  is 
a  type  of  deity;  silver  of  redemption;  brass  of  judgment;  blue  of  heavenly 
origin;  purple  of  royalty;  scarlet  of  atonement,  etc. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Further  directions  regarding  the  tabernacle. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  The  wonders  of  God's  presence  are  known  only  to  those,  who  by 
the  proper  ceremonies,  have  come  inside  the  curtains  of  His  grace.  The 
natural  man  is  screened  out  from  the  things  of  the  Spirit. 

KeyWord:      Fashion  (pattern),  v.  30. 

Strong  Verses:      30. 

Striking  Facts:  We  as  Christ's  followers  have  here  no  continuing  city,  being 
strangers  and  pilgrims  through  this  world  to  a  better  land,  having  a  move- 
able  tabernacle.  The  presence  of  God  is  not  tied  to  any  place. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Directions  about  the  brazen  altar  and  the  court. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      Sinful  man  dare  not  approach  God    (at  the  ark)    Heb.   9:8;   but 

God  approaches  man  as  a  sinner  through  Christ    (brazen  altar).      There 

were  blood  prints  all  the  way  from  the  ark  to  the  altar.     Redeemed  on 

that  path,  the  sinner  is  safe  in  the  courts  of  God. 
Key  Word :      Pattern,  25:9. 
Strong  Verses:      20. 
Striking  Facts:      In  Jesus,  God  comes  down  in  grace  to  the  sinner.     In  Jesus 

the   sinner   is  brought   up  in  righteousness   to  God.      These  are  our   only 

grounds  of  standing  before  God. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Directions  about  the  priesthood. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Nadab,  Eleazar,  Ithmar. 

Conclusion:      The   believer    need    never    fear    God    has    forgotten    him    for    the 

Great  High  Priest  bears  the  names  of  His  own  on  His  breast  before  God, 

presenting  them  as  "those  accepted  in  the  beloved." 
Key  Word:      Ministry,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      29,41. 
Striking  Facts:      Every  true  believer,  through  identification  with  Christ,  is  an 

earthly  priest  of  God's  family   (Rev.  1:8)   properly  clothed  for  the  work, 

(Rev.  19:7,  8),  and  should  be  duly  consecrated  and  sanctified  for  his  work 

of  testimony. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Consecration  of  the  priests  and  the  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Aaron's  sons. 

Conclusion:  Those  representing  God  should  be  set  apart  in  solemn  conse- 
cration. All  their  service  must  be  based  on  the  ground  of  the  burnt 
offering. 

Key  Word:      Consecration,  v.  26. 

Strong  Verses:      18,  45,  46. 

Striking  Facts:  Consecration  means  "to  fill  the  hand."  It  is  not  the  believer 
filling  God's  hand.  In  the  arms  of  Aaron's  sons  were  put  the  parts  of  the 
sacrifice  which  speak  of  the  inherent  richness  and  power  of  Christ.  This 
was  their  acknowledgment  that  the  power  for  service  was  not  in  them- 
selves, but  in  another.  This  is  consecration. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY 

its:      The  altar  of  incense  and  the  brazen  laver. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 


Page  Twenty-Two  EXODUS 

Conclusion:       (See  Psa.  141:2).     The  prayer  of  a  contrite  believer  ascends  as  a 

fragrant  cloud  to  God.     (Prov.  15:8). 
Key  Word:      Incense  (worship),  v.  7. 
Strong  Verses:      30. 
Striking  Facts:      Fire  under  the  incense  altar  brought  out  the  fragrance   (Rom. 

8:  26,  27).     The  fire  was  from  the  blood-sprinkled  altar  (Heb.  10:  19,  20). 

Their  prayers  were  based  on  the  intercession  of  a  priest  (Rom.  8:34). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      The  tabernacle  and  its  workmen.      Sabbath  made  a  sign  between 

God  and  Israel. 

Characters:      God,   Moses,   Bezaleel,  Aholiab. 
Conclusion:      When  God  gives  a  commission,   He  will,   in  some  measure  give 

the  qualifications  according  as  the  service  is.     When  God  has  work  to  be 

done,  He  will  not  be  without  instruments. 
Key  Word:      Workmanship,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  17. 
Striking  Facts:      When  Christ  sent  His  apostles  to  rear  the  Gospel  tabernacle 

He  poured  out  His  Holy  Spirit  upon  them  to  enable  them  to  speak  with 

power  the  wonderful  works  of  God. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:  The  broken  law;  Israel  worships  a  golden  calf.  Intercession  of 
Moses. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  great  sin  to  make  gold,  or  anything  else,  a  god,  as  those 
do  who  let  it  become  a  supreme  object  of  their  affections,  taking  the 
place  of  God  in  any  degree. 

Key  Word:      Great  Sin,  v.  30. 

Strong  Verses:      26,  29,  32. 

Striking  Facts:  Moses  typified  Christ,  who  went  above  (Acts  1:9)  telling 
the  people  to  tarry.  In  His  absence,  some  forget  his  promised  return 
(John.  14:3;  Acts  1:11)  and  make  themselves  gods  (2  Tim.  3:1-4;  4:3-4; 
Matt.  24:12)  denying  His  return  (2  Pet.  3:3-4;  Matt.  24:48,  49).  Jesus 
will  come  unexpectedly  (Matt.  25:13)  punishing  evil  doers  (2  Thess.  2:7, 
8)  who  are  naked  (Rev.  6:16,  17)  and  gathering  the  true  to  Himself 
(1  Thess.  4:13-18). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  journey  to  be  resumed.     God's  presence  assured. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  God's  special  presence  with  us  in  the  wilderness  by  His  Spirit 
and  grace  to  direct,  defend  and  comfort,  is  the  surest  pledge  of  His 
acceptance  of  us.  The  bitter  fruit  of  sin  in  the  believer  is  the  lost  sense 
of  His  presence,  which  will  cause  any  true  believer  to  lament. 

Key  Word:      Presence,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      11,14,20. 

Striking  Facts:  Moses,  as  a  prince  who  had  power  with  God,  was  a  type  of 
Christ  the  great  Intercessor  whom  the  Father  heareth  always.  Through 
His  intercession,  we  obtain  constant  assurance  of  the  blessings  of  salva- 
tion. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Second  tables  of  the  law.     The  new  vision  and  commission. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  (12-17).  We  cannot  expect  the  benefit  of  God's  promises  unless 
we  make  conscience  of  His  precepts.  God's  name  is  "Jealous"  and  we 
cannot  worship  Him  aright  if  we  do  not  worship  Him  alone. 

Key  Word:      Tables  of  testimony,  v.  29. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  14,  29. 

Striking  Facts:  The  shining  of  Moses'  face  was  a  great  honor  to  him  but 
nothing  compared  to  the  glory  which  excelled.  We  read  of  Jesus,  that 
not  only  His  face  shone,  but  His  whole  body  and  His  raiment  was  glisten- 
ing rLuke  9:29). 


EXODUS  Page  Twenty-Three 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      People  instructed   as   to   the  tabernacle.      The   gifts   of  the   people 

for  the  work. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Bezaleel,  Aholiab. 
Conclusion:      God  loves  a  cheerful  giver  and  is  best  pleased  with  a  free-will 

offering.      Our   gifts   are   our   acknowledgment   that   we   receive   all   from 

Him  and  dedicate  all  to  Him. 
Key  Word:      Gifts,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      21,  29. 
Striking  Facts:      If  we  cannot  do  what  others  do  for  God,  we  are  not  to  sit 

still  and  no  nothing.  Though  our  offering  gains  us  no  reputation  with  men, 

if  given  according  to   ability,   it   does  not   fail   of   acceptance  with   Him. 

(2  Cor.  8:12). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      The    tabernacle    work    begun.      The    curtains,    coverings,    sockets, 

bars,  vail. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Bezaleel,  Aholiab. 
Conclusion:      The  talents  with  which  God  has  entrusted  the  believer  are  not 

to  be  laid  up   but  laid  out.      Have   your   tools  ready  and   God   will   find 

you  work. 

Key  Word:  Work,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:  1,  5,  6. 
Striking  Facts:  Precious  souls  redeemed  by  Christ  are  the  material  of  the 

Gospel  tabernacle.      (1   Pet.    2:5).      Those  called  to  the  building  of  this 

house  are  those  whom  God  has  in  some  measure  made  fit  for  the  work. 

Ability  and  willingness  are  the  two  things  to  be  regarded  in  the  call  of 

the  Christian  worker. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Making  of  the  ark,  mercy  seat,  table,  candlestick,  altar. 

Characters:      Bezaleel. 

Conclusion:  As  the  workmen  were  to  take  great  care  to  make  all  according 
to  God's  pattern,  so  the  believer  should  have  respect  to  all  the  light  God 
gives,  even  to  every  iota  and  tittle  of  His  commandments.  God  delights 
in  sincere  obedience  and  keeps  exact  account  of  it. 

KeyWord:      Work,  36:1. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  propitiation,  has  made  reconciliation 
for  the  believer,  restoring  communion  with  God.  From  the  mercy  seat, 
He  accepts  us  and  teaches  us,  and  under  the  shadow  of  the  Spirit  we  are 
safe. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Altar  of  burnt  offering,  laver,  court,  gate. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Bezaleel,  Aholiab,  Ithamar. 

Conclusion:      Same  as  chap.  37. 

KeyWord:      Work,  v.  1.     36:1. 

Strong  Verses:      21. 

Striking  Facts:  On  the  altar  of  burnt  offering  all  the  sacrifices  were  made. 
The  altar  is  a  type  of  Calvary's  cross  on  which  Christ,  our  whole  burnt 
offering,  offered  Himself  without  spot  to  God  (Heb.  9:14). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:  Garments  for  Aaron. 
Characters:  God,  Moses,  Aaron. 
Conclusion:  All  believers  are  spiritual  priests  and  their  service-clothes  are 

provided    (Rev.    19:8).      All  who   converse  with   them   should   be   able   to 

see  that  they  are  properly  clothed  as  God's  representatives. 
Key  Word:      Garments,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      42,  43. 
Striking  Facts:      Christ,  our  High  Priest,   in  undertaking  the  work  of   man's 

restoration,  wore  the  clothes  of  service — the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Holy 

Spirit,  which  He  had  without  measure. 


Page  Twenty-Four  EXODUS 

CHAPTER  FORTY 

Contents:      Tabernacle  set  up.     God's  glory  manifested. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      God  will  dwell  with  those  who  prepare  Him  a  habitation.     Where 

God  has  a  throne  and  an  altar  in  the  heart,  there  is  a  living  temple  in  which 

the  Spirit  will  be  manifested. 
Key  Word:      Finished,  v.  33. 
Strong  Verses:      17,  34,  38. 
Striking  Facts:      What  the  glory  cloud  was  to  the  tabernacle,  the  Holy  Spirit 

is  to  the  Church  and  the  temple,  which  is  the  believer's  body.      (1  Cor. 

6:19). 


BOOK  OF  LEVITICUS  Page  Twenty-Five 

LEVITICUS 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Atonement  27  16:34  High   Priest 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Access  of  the  redeemed 
to   God   is  only  through 

Moses  About   1500   B.   C.  the   blood.      Holiness   of 

the  redeemed  is  impera- 
tive. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      The  burnt  offering  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron's  sons. 

Conclusion:  Utter  dependence  upon  the  sacrifices,  typifying  the  great  sac- 
rifice of  Christ  on  which  the  iniquity  of  us  all  was  laid  is  God's  require- 
ment. (The  laying  on  of  the  offerer's  hands  signified  identification  of  the 
believer  with  his  offering). 

Key  Word:      Burnt  sacrifice,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  The  burnt  offering  stands  for  Christ  who  offered  Himself 
without  spot  to  God  in  delight  to  do  the  Father's  will  even  unto  death. 
Fire,  symbol  of  God's  holiness,  consumes  the  offering. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Meat  offering  and  first-fruits  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron's  sons. 

Conclusion:  Leaven,  typifying  malice,  wickedness  and  human  pride  is  not 
accepted  in  spiritual  sacrifices.  Take  heed  of  those  sins  which  will  cer- 
tainly spoil  the  acceptableness  of  worship. 

Key  Word:      Fine  flour  offering,  v.  1.     First-fruits,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

Striking  Facts:  Fine  flour  speaks  of  the  balance  of  the  character  of  Christ; 
fire  of  His  testing  by  suffering;  frankincense  of  the  fragrance  of  His  life 
to  God;  absence  of  leaven,  His  character  as  "The  Truth;"  absence  of 
honey — His  life  was  not  mere  natural  sweetness  which  may  exist  apart 
from  God;  oil  mingled,  Christ  as  born  of  the  Spirit;  oil  upon,  Christ 
baptized  with  the  Spirit. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Peace  offering  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron's  sons. 

Conclusion:  In  Christ,  God  and  the  sinner  meet  in  peace.  God  is  propitiated 
and  the  sinner  reconciled;  both  alike  satisfied  with  Christ's  work.  "He 
is  our  peace." 

Key  Word:      Peace  offering,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  Details  of  the  peace  offering  bring  out  the  thought  of  fellow- 
ship, hence  the  peace  offering  is  set  forth  as  affording  food  for  the  priests, 
(7:31-34). 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

mtents:      Sin  offering  laws. 
Characters:      God,  Moses. 

mclusion:      Even  sins  done  in  ignorance  need  to  be  atoned  for  by  sacrifice. 
To  plead  ignorance  when   charged  with   sin  will  not   deliver.      Our   only 
hope  is  in  acceptance  of  Him  who  "became  sin  for  us." 
Key  Word:      Sin  offering,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 


Page  Twenty-Six  LEVITICUS 

Striking  Facts:  The  sin  offering  is  Christ  seen  laden  with  the  believer's 
sins,  absolutely  in  the  sinner's  place  and  stead,  and  not  as  in  the  sweet 
savor  offerings,  in  His  own  perfections.  Read  Isa.  53. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Trespass  offering  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  Even  when  a  man  unwittingly  breaks  the  laws  of  God,  full  resti- 
tution must  be  made,  which  is  possible  only  through  the  presentation  of 
the  sacrifice. 

Key  Word:      Trespass  offering,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  The  chapter  teaches  us  that  we  all  have  need  to  pray  with 
David,  "Cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults."  Psa.  19:12. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Further  directions  about  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  Since  Christ  has  "made  His  soul  an  offering  for  sin"  we  should 
seek  to  make  restitution  to  any  person  we  have  injured  or  defrauded, 
and  until  we  do,  we  will  not  enjoy  the  comfort  of  His  forgiveness  of 
our  sins. 

Key  Word:      Offerings. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  Trespass  against  our  neighbor  is  trespass  against  God,  be- 
cause it  is  an  affront  to  our  Saviour  who  has  redeemed  us  and  the  injury 
reflects  upon  God  who  has  commanded  that  we  should  love  our  neighbor  as 
ourselves. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Further  directions  concerning  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  We  are  not  left  to  our  liberty  in  the  solemn  acts  of  religious 
worship,  but  are  under  obligation  to  perform  them  in  the  manner  God 
directs  in  His  Word. 

Key  Word:      Offerings,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      37,38. 

Striking  Facts:  Use  of  leaven,  v.  13,  is  significant.  In  v.  12,  as  the  believer 
thanks  God  for  his  peace,  he  first  of  all  presents  Christ,  Eph.  2:13,  so 
leaven  is  excluded.  In  v.  13,  he  gives  thanks  for  his  participation  in 
the  peace,  and  the  leaven  signifies,  that  although  having  peace  through 
Christ,  the  believer  in  himself  is  not  perfect. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Consecration  of  Aaron  and  sons  for  the  priesthood. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  All  who  minister  about  holy  things  must  have  an  eye  to  God's 
commands  as  their  rule  and  warrant,  for  only  in  the  observance  of  these 
may  they  expect  to  be  owned  of  God  in  their  service. 

Key  Word:      Sanctification,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      13,36. 

Striking  Facts:  Priests  did  not  consecrate  themselves.  Moses  was  the  ap- 
pointed instrument  of  God  to  do  this  work.  The  sons  of  Aaron  simply 
presented  themselves  for  the  work.  See  Rom.  12:1,  where  the  believer 
presents  himself  unreservedly  to  Christ. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Priests  begin  their  ministry  before  the  Lord. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  God  draws  nigh  to  those  who  draw  nigh  to  Him  in  the  appointed 
way — the  offering  of  faith  in  His  Son,  the  Great  Sacrifice  being  accept- 
able to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Offering  presented,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  23,  24. 

Striking   Facts:      God    does   not   ordain   priests    to   be    idle.      Without    a    days 


LEVITICUS  Page  Twenty-Seven 

respite    after    their    consecration,    Aaron    and    his   sons    were    immediately 
employed.     God's  spiritual  priests  have  work  laid  out  for  them  by  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Strange  fire  of  Nadab  and  Abihu. 

Characters:      God,    Nadab,    Abihu,    Eleazer,    Moses,    Aaron,    Ithamar,    Michael, 

Elzaphan. 
Conclusion:      It  is  fatal  to  act  in  the  things  of  God  without  seeking  the  mind 

of  God  (will  worship,  Col.  2:23.) 
Key  Word:      Strange  fire,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      9. 
Striking  Facts:      Strange  fire  typifies  any   use  of  carnal   means  to  kindle   the 

fires  of  devotion  and  praise,  which,  if  true,   come  only  from  Christ  and 

the  Holy  Spirit. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      The  proper  food  for  God's  people  defined. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      The  body  is  the  Lord's  and  it  is  sin  against  God  to   prejudice 

health  for  the  pleasing  of  appetite. 
Key  Word:      Eating,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      45. 
Striking  Facts:      God's  covenant   people,   Israel,   by  having  a  diet   peculiar  to 

themselves    would    be    kept    from    familiar    conversation    with    idolatrous 

neighbors.      The    laws,    however,    were    probably    primarily    sanitary    and 

necessary  to  the  good  of  the  people. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      The  law  of  motherhood. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  All  are  conceived  and  born  in  sin  (Psa.  51:5)  for,  if  the  root  be 
impure,  so  is  the  branch.  It  is  only  by  Christ,  the  great  sin  offering, 
that  the  corruption  of  the  child  nature  is  done  away. 

Key  Word:      Conceiving,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses :      8 . 

Striking  Facts:  Our  Lord,  though  not  conceived  in  sin — his  mother  accom- 
plished the  days  of  purification  (Luke  2:22-24)  and  so  poor  were  His 
parents  that  they  could  not  bring  a  lamb. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  those  afflicted  with  leprosy. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      Man  is  beset  with  troops  of  diseases  on  every  side  and  all  entered 

by  sin.     If  not  afflicted  with  any  of  these  terrible  sores,  we  are  bound 

to  praise  God  and  glorify  Him  the  more  with  our  bodies. 
Key  Word:      Leprosy,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      45,  46. 
Striking  Facts:      Leprosy  is  a  figure  of  the  moral  pollution  of  men's  minds  by 

sin,  which  is  the  leprosy  of  the  soul,  curable  only  through  Christ's  atoning 

work. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  cleansing  of  lepers. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      As  the  leper  was  cleansed  from  his  fearful  malady  through  the 

water  and  the  blood,  so  Christ  comes  into  the  soul  for  its  cleansing  "by 

water  and  blood"  (1  John  5:6).     See  John  19:34. 
Key  Word:      Cleansing,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      20. 
Striking  Facts:      The   leper    did   nothing   toward    his    own    cleansing.    He   was 

sought  out  by  the  priest  and  cleansed  by  him.     Our  cleansing  is  by  Christ 

alone. 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

tents:      Imperative  personal  cleanliness. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 


Page  Twenty-Eight  LEVITICUS 

Conclusion:  Unclean  diseases  of  the  flesh  are  a  wound  and  dishonor,  the  con- 
sumption of  the  body,  and  a  sin  which  is  often  its  own  punishment  more 
than  any  other. 

Key  Word:      Unclean,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      30,  31. 

Striking  Facts:  The  chapter  speaks  to  us  of  the  contagion  of  sin  and  the 
danger  of  being  polluted  by  conversing  with  those  who  are  polluted. 
"Save  yourselves  from  this  untoward  generation." 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Day  of  atonement  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      "Without  the  shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  remission  for  sin." 

Key  Word:      Atonement,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      30,  34. 

Striking  Facts:  As  the  priest  entered  the  holiest  with  the  blood,  so  Christ 
entered  heaven  itself  with  His  own  blood  for  us  (Heb.  9:11,  12).  His 
blood  makes  the  throne  of  God  a  mercy  seat  which  otherwise  must  have 
been  a  throne  of  judgment. 

CHAPTER   SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      The  place  of  sacrifice  and  the  sanctity  of  the  blood. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  all  meet  at  one  altar  in  His  appointed  way,  there- 
by preserving  unity  and  family  love  among  themselves. 

Key  Word:      Blood,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

Striking  Facts:  The  worship  of  Christians  is  not  now  confined  to  one  place 
(John  4:21;  1  Tim.  2:8)  yet  Christ  is  our  altar  and  through  Him,  God 
dwells  among  us  by  His  Spirit.  It  is  in  Him  that  our  sacrifices  are 
acceptable  to  God.  1  Pet.  2:5. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Relationship  and  walk  of  God's  people. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Fleshly  lusts  war  against  the  soul  and  will  certainly  be  the  ruin 

of  it,  if  God's  mercy  and  grace  prevent  not. 
Key  Word:      Abominations,  v.  26. 
Strong  Verses:       3,  4,  5,  24,  26,  30. 
Striking  Facts:      There  are   many  sins  which   level  men  with   the   beasts   but 

these  here  mentioned  sink  men  lower  than  beasts. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Further  laws  concerning  proper  relationships. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  being  distinguished  from  all  other  people  by  a 
peculiar  relationship  with  Him  through  Christ,  should  teach  them  real 
separation  from  the  things  of  the  world  and  flesh  and  entire  devoted- 
ness  to  the  will  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Holy,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  12,  18,  31. 

Striking  Facts:  Notice  the  caution  against  having  anything  to  do  with  spirit- 
ism. Seek  not  to  them  for  discovery  or  advice  and  regard  not  their 
offers.  It  is  an  abomination  to  God. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Further  laws  on  relationship  and  walk  of  God's  people. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      God    has    distinguished    His    people    from    all    others    by    a    holy 

covenant    with    them    through    Christ,    therefore    they    should    distinguish 

themselves  by  consistent  and  holy  living. 
Key  Word:      Separated,  v.  24. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  8,  22,  23,  24. 
Striking   Facts:      Observe   again   the   plain   warning   against   spiritism.      What 

greater    madness    than    to    go    to    an    enemy   for    advice.      Spiritualism    is 

spiritual  adultery,  giving  honor  to  the  devil  which  is  due  to  God. 


LEVITICUS  Page  Twenty-Nine 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Relationship  and  walk  of  the  priests. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  Those  whose  office  it  is  to  instruct  in  God's  truth  must  do  it  by 
example  as  well  as  precept. 

Key  Word:      Holy,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  We  must  honor  those  whom  God  has  called  as  His  ministers 
and  every  Christian  should  consider  himself  as  concerned  to  be  the  guard- 
ians of  their  honor. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Separation  of  the  priests;   perfection  of  the  sacrifices. 

Characters:  God,  Moses,  Aaron  and  sons. 

Conclusion:  Those  contract  great  guilt  who  profane  sacred  things,  doing  in 
their  own  uncleanness,  service  which  pretends  to  be  hallowed  to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Separate,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  31,  32. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  19  a  law  to  make  sacrifices  fitter  to  be  types  of  Christ, 
the  great  Sacrifice  from  which  all  these  derive  their  virtue.  He  is  called 
a  "lamb  without  spot  and  without  blemish"  (1  Pet.  1:19). 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  feasts  of  Jehovah. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  The  Sabbaths  of  the  Lord  in  our  dwellings  will  be  their  beauty, 
strength  and  safety  (by  rising  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  and  meeting 
His  disciples  again  and  again  on  that  day,  Christ  appointed  that  day  a  holy 
convocation). 

Key  Word:      Feasts,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   22. 

Striking  Facts:  As  given  to  Israel,  there  were  seven  great  religious  festivals. 
Passover,  feast  of  unleavened  bread,  feast  of  first-fruits,  feast  of  Pente- 
cost, feast  of  Trumpets,  Day  of  Atonement,  feast  of  Tabernacles, — all 
typical  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Penalty  of  blasphemy. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  son  of  Israelitish  woman. 

Conclusion:      If  those  who  profane  the  name  of  God  escape  punishment  from 

men,  yet  the  Lord  our  God  will  not  suffer  them  to  escape  His  righteous 

judgments. 

Key  Word:      Blasphemy,  v.  11. 
Strong  Verses:      15. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    12.      Those  who  sit  in  judgment  should   sincerely  desire, 

and  by  prayer  to  Christ  for  wisdom,  should  endeavor  to  know,  the  mind  of 

the  Lord. 


v^iu 

. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Laws  of  the  land.     Sabbatic  year  and  year  of  Jubilee. 

Characters:      God.  Moses. 

inclusion:  The  blessing  of  God  upon  our  provision  will  make  a  little  go 
a  long  way  and  satisfy  even  the  poor  with  bread.  We  can  lose  nothing 
by  faith  in  God's  promises  and  self-denial  in  our  obedience. 

Key  Word:      Sabbatic  year,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      18,19,35,36,37. 

Striking   Facts:      v.    25,    the    kinsman    redeemer    is    an    illustration    of    Christ 
who  assumed  our  nature  that  He  might  be  our  kinsman,  redeeming  our 

»     inheritance  which   we   by  sin   had   forfeited.      He   made   a   settlement   for 
all  who  become  allied  with  Him  by  faith. 
i 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

mtents:      Conditions  of  blessing  and  warnings  of  chastisement. 
Characters:      God,  Moses. 


Page  Thirty  LEVITICUS 

Conclusion:  All  adverse  circumstances  that  come  upon  a  people  are  God's 
servants,  used  often  as  a  scourge  wherewith  He  chastises  a  provoking 
people.  If  less  judgments  will  not  do  their  work,  God  will  send  greater, 
for  when  He  judges  a  nation  He  will  overcome. 

Key  Word:      Punishment,  v.  24. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  40,  41,  42. 

Striking  Facts:  If  God's  people  faithfully  observe  His  statutes  they  are  assured 
that  His  hand  (vv.  7,  8)  will  so  signally  appear  with  them  that  no  dis- 
proportion of  numbers  could  make  against  them. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  dedicated  persons  and  things. 

Characters:      God,   Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  should  be  cautious  in  making  vows  and  constant  in  keeping 
those  we  have  made.  What  is  once  devoted  to  the  Lord  should  be  His 
forever  by  a  perpetual  covenant. 

Key  Word:      Vows,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      30. 

Striking  Facts:  Let  us  not  think  because  we  are  not  tied  to  ceremonial  laws 
that  we  are  free  of  religious  obligations.  "Having  boldness  to  enter  into 
the  holiest  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart  in 
full  assurance  of  faith"  saying  "Blessed  be  God  for  the  gift  of  His  Son." 


>K  OF  NUMBERS 


age 


NUMBERS 


Key  Thought: 

Discipline 


Number  of  Chapters: 

36 


Key  Verse: 

33:1 


Christ  seen  as: 

Star  of  Jacob 


^riter  of  the  Book: 

Moses 


Date: 

About   1500   B.   C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The  redeemed  are  saved 
to  serve  and  must  be  on 
their  guard  against  un- 
belief. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Moses  commanded  to  take  census. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  The  Lord  knows  all  those  that  are  His  (2  Tim.  2:19)  by  name 
(Phil.  4:3)  and  even  the  hairs  of  their  heads  are  numbered.  To  all  others 
He  will  say  "I  never  knew  you." 

Key  Word:      Numbered,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses :      54. 

Striking  Facts:  None  under  20  years  old  were  listed  for  military  service. 
In  compassion  for  their  tender  years  God  would  not  have  them  to  bear 
arms.  Nor  were  any  to  be  numbered  who  were  through  any  bodily  infirm- 
ity, rendered  unfit  for  war. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Order  of  the  host  and  arrangement  of  the  camp. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  God  is  a  God  of  order  and  not  confusion,  thus  the  camp  of  the 
saints  should  be  compact,  everyone  knowing  and  keeping  his  God  ap- 
pointed place. 

Key  Word:      Camp,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      34. 

Striking  Facts:  The  chapter  furnishes  an  illustration  of  the  movable  state 
of  Christ's  people  in  the  world,  "strangers  and  pilgrims."  At  the  same 
time  it  is  a  military  state — our  life  is  a  warfare,  as  "good  soldiers  of  Jesus 
Christ." 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Order  of  the  host;  placing  of  the  Levites. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  Having  gifts  differing  according  to  the  Grace  given  us — if  min- 
istry, let  us  wait  on  our  ministering  (Rom.  12:7).  God  has  a  place  of 
definite  service  for  each  of  His  children. 

Key  Word:      Levites,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 

Striking  Facts:  The  Church  is  called  "the  church  of  the  firstborn"  which  is 
redeemed  not  as  the  firstborn  of  the  Israelites,  with  silver  and  gold,  but 
ransomed  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  service  of  the  Kohathrites,  Gershonites  and  Merarites. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  service  appointed  to  each  of  God's  people  in  connec- 
tion with  His  Church,  and  no  matter  how  obscure  the  place  it  is  important 
in  God's  program. 

Key  Word:      Service,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      49. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  They  were  not  employed  until  30  years  old.  This  is 
not  obligatory  on  Gospel  ministers,  but  gives  us  a  suggestion  that  min- 
isters should  not  be  novices  but  should  be  men  of  steadiness,  and  ripeness 
of  judgment,  knowing  Christ  well. 


Page  Thirty-Two  NUMBERS 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Defilement  of  the  camp. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  The  purity  of  the  church  must  be  as  carefully  guarded  as  the 
order  of  it  and  it  is  for  the  edification  of  it  that  those  who  are  openly 
and  incorrigibly  vicious  should  be  cut  off  from  communion  until  they 
repent. 

Key  Word:      Defilement,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  All  wives  should  learn  from  the  "jealousy  offering"  to  guard 
against  giving  any  occasion  for  suspicions  of  their  chastity — to  abstain 
from  all  appearance  of  evil.  Husbands  should  learn  not  to  entertain 
causeless  or  unjust  suspicions  of  their  wives. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      The  Nazarite  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      The  Christian  should  be  a  true  Nazarite,  fully  consecrated  to  God 

and   separated   from   the  things  of  this  world,   thus  securing   the   special 

blessing  of  God. 
Key  Word:      Separation,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      24,25,26. 
Striking  Facts:      The  Nazarite  type  found  a  perfect  fulfillment  in  Jesus  who 

was  "holy,  harmless,   undefiled  and  separate  from  sinners"    (Heb.    7:26) 

and  allowed  no  mere  natural  claims  to  divert  Him. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      The  gifts  of  the  princes. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  princes. 

Conclusion:      The  great  men  should  with  their  wealth  and  power  uphold  the 

work  of  God  and  should  make  conscience  of  being  devout  because  of  their 

great  influence. 
Key  Word:      Offering,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      89. 
Striking  Facts:      Observe  that  the  offerings  of  the  princes  were  identical  yet 

each  is  separately  recorded  by  the  pen  of  inspiration,  showing  how  God 

takes  notice  of  every  whole-hearted  gift.     Mark  12:41-44. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Cleansing  of  the  Levites  for  the  ministry  of  the  tabernacle. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:  All  Christians,  and  especially  ministers,  should  cleanse  them- 
selves from  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh  and  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord.  Those  who  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord  must  be 
clean. 

Key  Word:      Cleanse,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      21,  22. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  a  great  kindness  to  the  Church  that  God  has  appointed 
overseers  to  go  before  the  people  in  the  things  of  God  and  religious  wor- 
ship. When  Christ  ascended,  He  supplied  the  gifts  for  His  work  (Eph. 
4:8-12). 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Law  of  the  Passover;  the  guiding  cloud. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  by  circumstances  are  compelled  to  absent  themselves 

from  God's  ordinances,  may  expect  the  favor  of  God's  grace  under  their 

afflictions,  and  those  who  of  choice  absent  themselves  may  justly  expect 

the  tokens  of  God's  displeasure. 
Key  Word:      Passover,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      As  it  was  safe  and  pleasant  going  for  Israel  when  led  by  the 

cloud,  token  of  God's  presence,  so  there  is  peace  for  the  Christian  who 

has  set  Christ,  the  Great  Shepherd,  before  him. 


NUMBERS  Page  Thirty-Three 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The  first  march  of  the  camp. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron's  sons. 

Conclusion:      Those   who   have   given   themselves    up   to   the   leading   of    God's 

Word  and  Spirit,  steer  a  safe  course  and  so  long  as  they  walk  in  fellowship 

with  their  Guide,  they  need  not  fear  losing  the  way. 
Key  Word:      Journeying,  v.  13. 
Strong  Verses:      33,  34. 
Striking  Facts:      Those  who  through  Christ,  are  bound  for  the  heavenly  Canaan 

should  invite  and  encourage  their  friends  to  go  along  with  them. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Complaints  about  the  manna  and  the  consequences. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Eldad,  Medad,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      Though  God  graciously  gives  us  leave  to  complain  to  Him  when 

there  is  cause,  yet  He  is  justly  provoked  if  we  are  fretful  when  there  is 

no  cause  and  especially  when  we  have  been  surrounded  with  His  special 

favors. 

Key  Word:      Complaining,  v.  1. 
Striking  Facts:      Unconverted   church   members   with   no   healthy   appetite    for 

the  Bread  of  God,  the  things  of  Christ,   will   clamor  for  things  pleasing 

to  the  flesh  in  the  work  and  way  of  the  church. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Murmuring  of  Miriam  and  Aaron  and  the  consequences. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Miriam. 

Conclusion:  We  have  reason  to  be  exceedingly  cautious  of  saying  or  doing  any- 
thing against  the  servants  of  God,  for  God  will  plead  their  cause  if  they 
are  true  servants  and  will  reckon  with  the  critic. 

KeyWord:      Criticism,   (speaking  against),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  There  are  seasons  when  it  is  decidedly  out  of  place  to  criti- 
cize the  leaders  of  the  people.  This  affront  was  ill-natured  and  ill-timed, 
when  the  people  were  disposed  to  mutiny  and  had  given  Moses  much  vex- 
ation with  their  murmurings. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Spies  sent  into  Kadesh-barnea,  and  their  report. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Caleb,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  Faith  looks  at  difficulties  through  God  but  unbelief  looks  through 
difficulties  at  God.  All  things  are  possible,  if  but  promised,  to  him 
who  believes. 

Key  Word:      Searching,  v.   25. 

Strong  Verses:      27,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  Many  Christians  are  forever  getting  frightened  at  these  tre- 
mendous giants  in  the  land  who  make  them  feel  like  grasshoppers.  Giants 
cannot  stand  in  the  way  of  Christ's  work  if  His  people  will  be  valiant  in 
His  strength. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Murmuring  over  the  spies'  reports  and  the  consequences. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Caleb,  Joshua. 

Conclusion.      All  the  dangers  that  we  are  in  are  from  our  own  distrust.      We 

would  succeed  against  all  enemies  if  we  did  not  make  God  our  enemy. 

We  are  excluded  from  God's  blessing  only  by  excluding  ourselves. 
Key  Word:      Murmured,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.    13-19.      The  best  pleas   in  prayer   are  those  taken   from 

Christ's  honor.     The  more  danger  there  is  of  others  reproaching  Christ's 

power,  the  more  desirous  we  should  be  to  see  it  glorified. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Burnt  and  free  will  offerings. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  man  who  broke  Sabbath. 


Page  Thirty-Four  NUMBERS 

Conclusion:  Sins  committed  ignorantly  must  have  atonement  made  for  them, 
for  although  God  is  very  merciful  with  the  ignorant,  their  ignorance  can- 
not justify  them.  The  presumptuous  sinner  invites  severe  judgments. 

Key  Word:      Offerings,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      30. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  35.  God  is  jealous  for  the  honor  of  His  Sabbaths  and  will 
not  hold  men  guiltless  who  profane  them.  God  gave  this  exemplary 
punishment  as  a  standing  warning  against  presumptuous  disregard  of  His 
holy  day. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      The  gainsaying  of  Korah. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Korah,  Dathan,  Abriam. 

Conclusion:  Proud  and  ambitious  men  projecting  their  own  advancement  by 
thrusting  themselves  into  a  place  to  which  God  has  not  appointed  them, 
hurry  on  to  a  shameful  fall. 

Key  Word:      Murmur,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      26,  48. 

Striking  Facts:  Men  who  have  been  true  to  Christ  need  not  fear  being  slurred 
by  others.  Men  who  are  most  serviceable  are  often  abused  most  shame- 
fully. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Aaron's  rod  that  budded. 

Character:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      Fruitfulness  is  the  best  evidence  of  a  divine  call.     The  plants  of 

God's  setting  will  nourish. 
Key  Word:      Chosen,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      8. 
Striking  Facts:      The  budding  rod  is  a  type  of  Christ,  who  in  His  resurrection 

was  owned   of  God  as  High   Priest.      All  other  authors   of   religion   have 

died.     Christ  alone  is  exalted  as  High  Priest. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Regulations  concerning  maintenance  of  the  priests. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      We  are  to  value  as  a  great  gift  of  divine  bounty  those  called  to 

be  serviceable  to  us  in  the  work  of  the  church. 
Key  Word:      Given,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  12,  20. 
Striking  Facts:      God  orders  that  Christ's  ministers  should  be  well  recompensed 

that  they  might  be  the  more  entirely  addicted  to  their  ministry  and  not 

be  disturbed  in  it  by  worldly  care. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      The  ordinance  of  the  red  heifer. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Eleazer. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  needs  constant  cleansing  from  defilement  contracted 
in  his  pilgrim  walk  through  the  world. 

Key  Word:      Unclean,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  Water  typifies  the  Spirit  and  the  Word.  The  Spirit  uses  the 
Word  to  convict  the  believer  of  some  sin  allowed.  Thus  convicted,  he 
remembers  that  the  guilt  of  his  sin  has  been  met  by  the  sacrifice  of  Christ, 
therefore  instead  of  dispairing,  he  judges  and  confesses  the  sin  and  is 
forgiven  and  cleansed.  (1  John  1). 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Water  from  the  rock  and  Moses'  sin. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Miriam,  Eleazar,  King  of  Edom. 

Conclusion:      God  is  able  to  supply  His  people  with  necessaries  even  in  their 

greatest  straits  and  in  the  utmost  failure  of  second  causes. 
Key  Word:      Complaint,     v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      12. 


NUMBERS  Page  Thirty-Five 

Striking  Facts:  cf.  vv.  8  and  10.  Moses  and  Aaron  varied  from  their  com- 
mission and  assumed  too  much  glory  themselves.  The  nearer  one  is  to 
God,  the  more  offensive  are  their  sins.  God  judges  not  as  man  judges. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Victories  of  Israel;  the  serpent  of  brass. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Arad,  Sihon,  Og. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  cry  without  cause  will  be  given  just  cause  to  cry  and 

they  will  be  compelled  to  receive  their  course  from  God  in  God's  way. 
Key  Word:      Sinned,  v.  7. 
Strong  Verses :      9,  34. 
Striking  Facts:      Serpent  here,  a  symbol  of  sin  judged;  brass  speaks  of  divine 

judgment.     The  brass  serpent  becomes  a  type  of  Christ  "made  sin  for  us" 

(2  Cor.  5:21;  John  3:14-15)  in  bearing  our  judgment. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Balaam's  visit  to  Balak  and  the  strange  warning  on  the  way. 

Characters:      God,  Balak,  Balaam,  Angel  of  Jehovah. 

Conclusion:      The  enemies  of  God's  people  are  restless  and  unwearied  in  their 

attempts,  but  He  who  sits  in  heaven  laughs  at  them  and  often  uses  "foolish 

things  to  confound  the  wise." 
Key  Word:      Balaam,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      12,  38. 
Striking  Facts:      When  Satan  tempted  our  first  parents  to  sin  he  employed  a 

subtle    serpent,    but   when    God    would    convince    a    hireling    prophet,    He 

employed  a  silly  ass. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Balaam  blesses  instead  of  curses  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Balaam,  Balak. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  the  good  will  of  heaven  may  expect  the  ill  will 
of  hell  but  God  will  not  suffer  real  injury  done  to  His  people  and  what  is 
done  against  them  He  takes  as  done  against  Himself  and  reckons  ac- 
cordingly. 

Key  Word:      Blessed,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  12,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  He  who  made  man's  mouth  knows  how  to  manage  it.  God 
can  extort  a  confession  of  his  overruling  power  from  wicked  men  to  the 
confusion  of  many,  if  He  chooses. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Balaam  foretells  prosperity  for  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Balaam,  Balak. 

Conclusion:      Those    who    oppose    God    and    His    people    will    sooner    or    later 

be  made  to  see  themselves  wretchedly  deceived. 
Key  Word:      Latter  days,  v.  14. 
Strong  Verses:      13,  17. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   17  is  an  illustrious  prophecy  of  Christ  who  is  coming  to 

reign  in  great  glory,  not  only  over  Israel  but  over  all  men. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Sin  of  Israel  with  daughters  of  Moab. 
Characters:  God,  Moses,  Zimri,  Phinehas,  Cozbi. 
Conclusion:  God's  people  are  more  endangered  by  the  charms  of  a  smiling 

world  than  by  the  terrors  of  a  frowning  world.     The  daughters  of  Moab 

have   conquered   many   strong   men   who   could   not   be   conquered   by   the 

sword. 

Key  Word:      Whoredom,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:       12,  13. 
Striking  Facts:      Phinehas,  v.  11,  is  pronounced  his  country's  patriot  and  best 

friend.     To  be  zealous  for  Jesus  Christ  is  the  best  service  we  can  do  for  the 

people. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      The  new  generation  of  Israel  numbered. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  Eleazar,  Caleb,  Joshua. 


Page  Thirty-Six  NUMBERS 

Conclusion:      God  is  faithful  to  His  threatenings  as  well  as  to  His  promises. 

Millions  may  fall  to  the  ground,  but  His  Word  cannot  fall. 
Key  Word:      Numbered,  v.  64. 
Strong  Verses:      64,   65. 
Striking   Facts:      v.    65.       (Save    Caleb    and    Joshua).      The    arrows    of    death, 

though  they  fly  in  the  dark,  do  not  fly  at  random  but  are  directed  to  the 

mark  intended,  and  no  other. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The  law  of  inheritance.     Joshua  appointed  Moses'  successor. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Eleazar,  daughters  of  Zehophehad,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  The  minister  of  Christ  should  concern  himself  in  his  prayers  and 
endeavors  for  the  rising  generation,  that  work  may  flourish  and  the  inter- 
est of  the  kingdom  be  maintained  and  advanced  after  he  is  gone. 

Key  Word:      Appointment  (set  over),  v.  16. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  Moses'  attitude  to  his  successor  confirms  his  character  as  the 
meekest  man  on  earth.  He  thought  not  for  the  advancement  of  his  own 
family  but  yielded  gladly  to  God's  will  in  the  matter. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      The  order  of  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  God  asks  of  all  His  children  continual  offerings,  v.  3,  which  intim- 
ates that  we  are  to  "pray  without  ceasing"  on  the  ground  of  Christ's 
sacrifice,  and  at  least,  every  morning  and  evening,  v.  4,  we  are  to  offer 
solemn  prayer  and  praise  through  Christ. 

Key  Word:      Offering,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:  Commands  concerning  the  feast  of  Trumpets,  Feast  of  Tabernacles, 
and  Day  of  Atonement. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  must  not  seek  occasion  to  abate  our  zeal  in  God's  service  nor 
be  glad  of  excuses  to  omit  religious  duties,  but  rather  rejoice  in  the  many 
privileges  of  worship.  (Not  omitting  private  worship  on  days  we  go  to 
church.  Not  omitting  secret  prayer  because  of  family  devotions,  etc.). 

Key  Word:      Convocations,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      39. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:      The  laws  of  vows. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Our  promises  before  God  are  bonds  upon  the  soul  and  by  them 

we  must  conscientiously  consider   ourselves  bound   out  from   all   sin   and 

bound  up  to  the  whole  will  of  God. 
Key  Word:      Vows,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses :      2. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      The  judgment  of  Midian. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Balaam. 

Conclusion:      Our  worst  enemies  are  those  that  draw  us  to  sin.     Over  all  such 

enemies    there    is    absolute    victory    for    those    who    take    sides    with    God 

against  them. 
Key  Word:      Avenge,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      49. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  2.     Useful  men  are  often  removed  when  we  think  they  can 

ill  be  spared  from  Christ's  service,  but  it  is  clear  that  no  one  is  removed 

until  they  have  had  full  opportunity  to  do  that  which  was  appointed  them. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  choice  of  the  world-borderers. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  Caleb,  Joshua. 


Nu* 


UMBERS  Page  Thirty-Seven 

Conclusion:  Would  we  clioose  our  portion  aright  we  must  look  above  the 
things  which  are  seen — otherwise  we  will  be  guided  by  the  lust  of  the  eye 
and  the  pride  of  life. 

Key  Word:      Inheritance,  v.  19. 

Strong  Verses :      11,12,23. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  23.  It  concerns  us  to  find  our  sins  out  that  we  may  forsake 
them  before  they  find  us  out  to  our  confusion  and  ruin. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Summary  of  the  journey  from  Egypt  to  Jordan. 

Character:      God,  Moses,  Aaron. 

Conclusion:      It  is  good  for  believers  to  preserve  in  writing  an  account  of  the 

providences  of  God  concerning  them,  showing  the  series  of  mercies  they 

have  experienced,   that  deceitful  memories  might  be   helped   and   ground 

given  for  new  faith. 
Key  Word:      Journeys,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      53. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  51,  56.     If  we  do  not  drive  out  sin,  sin  will  drive  us  out. 

That  which  we  are  willing  should  tempt  us  will  eventually  vex  us. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Preparations  to  enter  the  land. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Eleazar,  Joshua,  prince  of  each  tribe. 

Conclusion:      God  sets  bounds  to  our  lot;   let  us  therefore  set  bounds  to  our 

desires  and  bring  our  minds  to  our  condition. 
Key  Word:      Borders,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      2. 
Striking  Facts:      God  gives  to  Christ's  people  but  a  small  share  of  this  world. 

Those  who  have  a  portion  in  heaven  have  reason  to   be   content  with   a 

small  pittance  of  earth. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      The  cities  of  refuge. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      God  would  teach  us  to  conceive  a  dread  and  horror  of  the  guilt 

of  blood  and  to  be  very  careful  of  life,  lest  even  by  negligence  we  occasion 

the  death  of  any.      (This  is  taught  by  confinement  to  the  city  of  refuge, 

of  those  who  killed  even  by  accident.) 
Key  Word:      Refuge,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      12,  30. 
Striking  Facts:      Christ  is  the  believer's  refuge.     In  Him  we  are  protected  from 

the  wrath  of  God  and  the  curse  of  the  law.     Heb.  6:18;  Phil.  3:9. 

Wilful  murder  is  to  be  punished  with  death  and  no  commutation  of  the 

punishment  was  to  be  accepted. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      Regulations  concerning  inheritance. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  heads  of  families,   Mahlah,  Tirzah,   Hoglah,   Milcah, 

Noah. 
Conclusion:      It  is  the  wisdom  of  those  who  have  estates  in  this  world  to  settle 

them  and  dispose  of  them  so  that  strife  and   contention  shall   not  arise 

about  them  among  their  posterity. 
Key  Word:      Inheritances,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      7. 
Striking  Facts:      Daughters  can  but  marry  well  and  to  their  satisfaction  when 

they  have  looked  to  Christ  to  direct  their  choice  of  a  husband. 


Page  Thirty-Eight 


BOOK  OF  DEUTERONOMY 


DEUTERONOMY 


Key  Thought: 

Obedience 


Number  of  Chapters : 

34 


Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

10:12,   13      Prophet  like  Moses 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Moses 


Date: 

About    1500   B.   C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Obedience  to  God  is  Im- 
perative. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Review  of  the  failure  at  Kadesh-barnea. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Caleb,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      A  sad  pass  it  has  come  to  with  us  when  the  God  of  eternal  truth 

cannot  be  believed.     All  disobedience  to  His  laws  and  forgetfulness  of  His 

power  and  goodness  flow  from  disbelief  in  His  Word. 
Key  Word:      Unbelief,  v.  32. 
Strong  Verses:      17,  21,  30. 
Striking  Facts:      Deuteronomy  signifies   "second   law"    or   second   edition,   not 

with  amendments,  for  there  need  be  none,  but  with  additions  for  further 

directions  in  divers  cases  not  mentioned  before. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      The  wanderings  and  conflicts  in  the  wilderness. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Sihon. 

Conclusion:      It  is  a  work  of  time  to  make  souls  meet  for  the  heavenly  Canaan 

and  it  must  be  done  by  many  a  long  train  of  experiences. 
Key  Word:      Journeys,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      7. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  25,  36.     Those  who  meddle  with  the  people  of  Christ  do 

it  to  their  own  hurt  for  God  often  ruins  the  enemies  of  His  people  by  their 

own  resolves. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Further  review  of  journeyings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Og,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      That  cause  cannot  but  be  victorious  for  which  the  Lord  of  Hosts 

fights.     "If  God  be  for  us  who  can  be  against  us?" 
Key  Word:      Conquest,  v.  22. 
Strong  Verses:      22,24. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  25,  27.     If  God  does  not  by  His  providence  give  us  what 

we  desire,  He  can,  by  His  grace  in  Jesus  Christ,  make  us  content  with  it. 

Be  satisfied  with  this — Christ  is  all-sufficient. 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  new  generations  taught  the  lessons  of  Sinai.     Cities  of  refuge 

designated. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 
Conclusion:      The  review  of  God's  providences  concerning  us  should  quicken 

us  and  engage  us  to  duty  and  obedience. 
KeyWord:      Keep  (Obedience),  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      2,  6,  9,  23,  24,  39. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  25,  31.     Moses  forsees  the  Jewish  apostasy  and  consequent 

scattering.      Those   nations   that   cast   off   the    duties    of   religion    in    their 

prosperity   cannot   expect   the   comforts   of   it   when    they   come    to    be    in 

distress. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      New  generations  taught  the  Mosaic  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Many  have  their  consciences  startled  by  the  Law,  who  are  not 


DEUTERONOMY  Page  Thirty-Nine 

purified    (v.    29).      Promises   are   made   but   the   good   principles   are   not 

rooted  in  them.     Oh,  to  be  sincere  in  our  covenant  with  God. 
Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  29,  33. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   5.      Moses  stood  between.      Herein  he  is  a  type  of  Christ 

who  stands  between  God  and  man,  as  the  true  mediator,  so  that  we  both 

hear  from  God  and  speak  to  Him  without  trembling. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Israel  exhorted  to  observe  all  God's  commandments. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob,  Pharoah. 

Conclusion:      The  fear  of  God  in  the  heart  is  the  most  powerful  principle  of 

obedience  (v.  2,  5,  etc.). 
Key  Word:      Observe,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  5,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      Those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  themselves  should  do 

all  they  can  to  engage  the  affections  of  their  children  to  Him,  to  prevent 

the  religion  of  the  family  from  being  cut  off. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Command  to  be  separate  people  and  to  destroy  opposing  nations. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  are  taken  into   communion  with   God  must  have   no 

communication  with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness. 
Key  Word:      Chosen,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  9. 
Striking  Facts:      The  destruction  of  enemies  furnishes  an  illustration   of  the 

Christian  conflict.     We  are  commanded  not  to  let  sin  reign,  nor  to  ctmnten- 

ance  it,  but  to  hate  it  and  strive  against  it.     God  has  promised  it  shall  not 

have  dominion  over  us.     Rom.  6:12,  14. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Israel  reminded  of  God's  gracious  past  dealings  and  warned  to  walk 
in  His  Way. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  It  is  good  for  us  to  remember  all  the  ways  both  of  God's  pro- 
vidences and  grace  by  which  He  has  led  us  hitherto  through  this  wilder- 
ness, that  we  may  be  prevailed  with  cheerfully  to  serve  Him  and  trust 
Him. 

Key  Word:      Remember,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  5,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Those  who  follow  the  Lord  Jesus  have  the  promise  of 
not  only  being  safe,  but  easy  (Matt.  11:30).  If  we  walk  "in  his  steps," 
our  feet  will  not  swell.  It  is  the  "way  of  the  transgressor"  that  is  "hard" 
(Prov.  13:15). 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  Israel  reminded  of  their  unworthiness  to  possess  the  land  in  them- 
selves. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Aaron,  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  Our  gaining  of  the  heavenly  Canaan  must  be  attributed  to  God's 
power,  not  our  might,  and  ascribed  to  His  grace,  not  our  merit.  In  Christ 
we  have  both  righteousness  and  strength — in  Him  therefore  we  must  glory, 
and  not  in  ourselves.  Gal.  6:14. 

Key  Word:      Remember,  v.  7   (stubbornness,  v.  27). 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  good  often  to  review  the  records  conscience  keeps  of 
our  past  life  of  sin  that  we  may  see  how  much  we  are  endebted  to  God's 
marvelous  grace  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  may  humbly  own  that  we  never 
merited  anything  at  God's  hand  but  wrath  and  the  curse. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Further  warnings  and  exhortation  and  reminders  of  God's  dealings. 
Characters:      God,   Moses,  Aaron,   Eleazar. 

Conclusion:  Since  we  have  received  so  many  mercies  from  God,  it  becomes 
us  to  enquire  what  returns  we  shall  make  to  Him.  It  should  certainly 


Page  Forty  DEUTERONOMY 

cause  us  to   devote  our  lives  to  His  honor  and   to   lay  ourselves   out  to 

advance  the  interest  of  His  kingdom. 
Key  Word:      Commandments,  v.  13. 
Strong  Verses:      12,17,21. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  10,  11.     Moses,  Israel's  intercessor,  had  the  conduct  and 

command  of  Israel.      Herein  he  was  a  type  of  Christ,  who  ever  lives  to 

make  intercession  and  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Warnings  and  exhortations  to  obedience. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      The  closer  dependence  we  have  had  on  God,  the  more  cheerful 

should  be  our  obedience  to  Him.     In  absolute  obedience  to  Him  is  strength 

and  true  success. 
Key  Word:      Obey,  v.  27. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  16,  26 
Striking  Facts:      v.    12.      The   Bible   magnifies   the   land   of   Canaan   above   all 

others.     God's  eyes  are.  still  upon  it  for  it  is  the  center  of  much  unfulfilled 

prophecy. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Statements  of  conditions  of  blessing  in  the  land. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  must  not  think  that  our  religion  is  only  for  our  years  of 
servitude  or  our  entertainment  in  the  place  of  solitude,  or  our  consola- 
tion in  affliction.  We  must  keep  up  devout  worship  in  our  Canaan  experi- 
ences as  well  as  our  wilderness  experiences. 

Key  Word:      Observe,  vv.  1,  28,  32. 

Strong  Verses:      32. 

Striking  Facts:  The  one  precept  pressed  harder  than  any  other  by  Moses  is  in 
regard  to  the  necessity  of  bringing  the  sacrifice  to  one  altar  at  the  court 
of  the  tabernacle  and  there  to  perform  all  rituals.  We  are  to  offer  up 
all  spiritual  sacrifices  to  God  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  hoping  for 
acceptance  only  on  the  ground  of  His  mediation.  1  Pet.  2:5. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      The  test  of  false  prophets. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  "Though  we  or  an  angel  from  heaven  preach  any  other  Gospel 
unto  you  than  that  which  we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed," 
Gal.  1:8.  We  are  to  be  on  our  guard  against  imposition  and  lying  wonders. 

Key  Word:      Dreamers,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  Observe  in  v.  3  etc.,  that  they  were  warned  not  even  to 
patiently  listen  to  false  teachers  and  dreamers,  but  to  instantly  reject  it 
with  disdain  as  unscriptural.  See  Rom.  16:17,  18;  2  Tim.  3:5;  2  John  10. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Dietary  laws. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      1  Tim.  4:3-5. 

Key  Word:      Eating,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  plain  that  the  precepts  concerning  food  belonged  only 
to  the  Jews  and  were  not  moral  or  of  perpetual  use  because  of  not  uni- 
versal obligation.  What  they  might  not  eat  themselves  they  might  give 
to  a  stranger  or  a  proselyte  who  had  renounced  idolatry  or  they  might  sell 
to  an  alien.  It  was  evidently  intended  to  keep  them  from  mingling  with 
and  conforming  themselves  to  idolatrous  neighbors. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  Sabbatic  year  and  bondservants. 
Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  That  we  who  have  received  in  abundance  from  God  should  be  rig- 
orous and  severe  in  our  demands  from  poor  brethren,  is  displeasing  to 


DEUTERONOMY  Page  Forty-One 

God.     His  tender  care  of  us  obliges  us  to  be  kind  to  those  who  have  a 

dependence  upon  us. 
Key  Word:      Release,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  8,  10. 
Striking  Facts:      The  year  of  release  typifies  the  grace  of  the  Gospel  in  which 

is  proclaimed  the  acceptable  year  of  the   Lord,   by  which   we   obtain   the 

release  of  our  debts,  the  pardon  of  our  sins,  teaching  us  to  forgive  others 

as  we  have  been  forgiven. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  annual  feasts. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  By  frequent  and  regular  meeting  to  worship  God  at  appointed 
places  and  by  recognized  rules,  we  are  kept  faithful  and  constant  in  that 
holy  religion  which  Christ  has  established  among  us. 

Key  Word:      Feasts,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      17. 

Striking  Facts:  See  1  Cor.  5:7.  We  are  to  keep  this  feast  in  holy  conversa- 
tion, free  from  the  leaven  of  malice  and  hyprocisy  and  with  the  unleavened 
bread  of  sincerity  and  love. 

CHAPTER   SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  idolaters  and  obedience  to  authority  and  kings. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      God  would  possess  men  with  a   dread  of  that  sin — worshipping 

false  gods — which  is  a  sin  in  itself  exceedingly  heinous  and  the  highest 

affront  that  can  be  offered  to  Almighty  God. 
Key  Word:      Transgressing,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:       18,  19,  20. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   1.      Old  testaments  sacrifices  were  required  to  be  perfect 

because  types  of  Christ,  1  Pet.  1:19,  who  was  perfectly  pure  from  all  sin 

and  ail  appearances  of  it. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Laws  concerning  Levites,  idolatrous  practices  and  prophets. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  God  has  made  Himself  known  to  men  through  One  above  all 
prophets  (Acts  3:22,  7:37;  John  6:14).  Hear  ye  Him. 

Key  Word:      Prophet,  v.  15. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  9-14.  Let  those  who  give  heed  to  fortune  tellers  or  run 
to  wizards  for  the  discovery  of  things  secret,  that  use  spells  for  cures, 
are  in  league  with  familiar  spirits  or  fellowship  with  those  who  are — 
know  that  they  have  no  fellowship  with  God,  but  with  demons. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Cities  of  refuge;   landmarks,  witnesses. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      God  would  possess  men  with  a  great  horror  and  dread  of  the  sin 

of  killing  another,  even  by  chance.     If  by  willful  violence,  see  1  John.  3:15. 
KeyWord:      Refuge  (cities),  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      9,  10. 
Striking   Facts:      Cities   of   refuge   were   located   in   the   center   of   districts   so 

every  corner  of  the  land  might  have  one  in  reach.     Thus  Christ  is  not  a 

refuge  at  a  distance  (Rom.  10:8)  but  brings  salvation  through  the  Gospel, 

to  our  door. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Laws  of  warfare. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  Those  enterprises  which  we  undertake  by  a  divine  warrant  and 
prosecute  by  divine  direction,  we  may  expect  to  succeed  in.  Those  have 
no  reason  to  fear  in  the  battles  of  life  who  have  God  with  them. 

Key  Word:      Battle,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4. 


Page  Forty-Two  DEUTERONOMY 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  A  justifiable  property  is  acquired  in  that  which  is  won 
in  lawful  war.  "The  Lord  thy  God  gives  it  thee."  Therefore  He  must  be 
owned  in  it. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Inquest  for  the  slain.     Domestic  regulations. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  are  to  have  a  dread  of  the  guilt  of  blood,  which  denies  not 
only  the  conscience  of  the  murderer  but  the  land  in  which  it  is  shed. 
When  we  hear  of  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked,  we  have  need  to  cry  earn- 
estly for  mercy  for  our  land  which  groans  and  trembles  under  it. 

Key  Word:      Guilt,  v.  9   (wife,  10-17),  rebellious  son,   (18-23). 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  18-23.  Those  who  are  bad  members  of  families  never 
make  good  members  of  the  commonwealth. 

v.  23.  Cf.  Gal.  3:13;  John  19:31.  Christ  underwent  the  curse  of  the  law 
for  us  and  was  exposed  to  shame  for  us.  In  the  evening,  He  was  taken 
down,  in  token  that  now  the  law  was  satisfied. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Law  of  brotherhood,  separation,  unchaste  wives  and  husbands. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Christianity  teaches  us  to  be  neighborly  and  to  be  ready  to  do  all 

good  offices  as  we  have  opportunity,  to  all  men.     Chastity  should  be  as  dear 

to  us  as  our  lives. 

Key  Word:      Brotherly,  v.  1,  (whoredom,  v.  21). 
Strong  Verses:      4. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  25.     We  shall  suffer  for  the  wickedness  we  do,  not  for  that 

which  is  done  to  us.     That  is  not  sin  which  has  not  more  or  less  of  the 

will  in  it. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Divers  regulations. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  must  take  care  to  keep  the  camp  of  the  saints  pure  from 
moral,  ceremonial  and  natural  pollution. 

Key  Word:      Holy,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  Outward  cleanliness  is  a  reverence  of  the  divine  Majesty. 
Filthiness  is  offensive  to  the  senses  God  has  endued  us  with,  is  a  wrong 
to  human  life  and  an  evidence  of  slothful  temper  of  mind. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Law  concerning  divorce;  miscellaneous  regulations. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      It  is  of  great  consequence  that  love  be  kept  up  between  husband 

and  wife  and  that  everything  be  carefully  avoided  which  would  estrange 

them.     The  changes  made  by  discontent  often  prove  for  the  worst. 
Key  Word:      Divorce,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      22. 
Striking  Facts:      The  creditor  who  cares  not  though  his  debtor  and  his  family 

starve,  nor  is  at  all  concerned  what  becomes  of  them  so  he  gets  his  money, 

goes  contrary  to  both  the  law  of  Moses  and  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Divers  regulations. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  Justice  and  equity  will  bring  down  upon  us  the  blessing  of  God. 
Those  who  do  unrighteously  are  an  abomination  to  the  Liord  and  miser- 
able is  the  man  who  is  distasteful  to  his  God. 

KeyWord:      Abominations,  v.  16. 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  See  2  Cor.  11:24.  They  always  gave  Paul  as  many 
stripes  as  ever  they  gave  to  any  malefactor  whatsoever. 


DEUTERONOMY  Page  Forty-Three 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Law  of  the  offering  of  the  firstfruits. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  are  to  acknowledge  God  as  giver  of  all  good  things  which  are 
the  support  and  comfort  of  our  natural  lives  and  are  therefore  to  give 
to  God  the  first  and  best  as  those  who  believe  Him  to  be  the  firs!  and 
best. 

Key  Word:      Firstfruits,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  fitting  that  God  who  gives  us  all  we  have  should  by  His 
Word  direct  the  using  of  it  and  though  we  are  not  now  bound  by  the  tithing 
laws,  we  are  commanded  to  give  of  such  things  as  we  have  and  to  lay  by  in 
store  as  we  are  prospered,  for  the  furtherance  of  Christ's  work. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The  blessing  and  cursing  from  Mt.  Ebal  and  Gerizim. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  are  all  compelled  to  say  Amen  to  the  law  of  God,  owning  our- 
selves justly  under  its  curse  and  that  we  must  certainly  have  perished 
had  not  Christ  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse 
for  us. 

Key  Word:      Law,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  Christ,  our  altar,  is  a  stone  cut  out  without  hands  (Dan. 
2:34,  35)  refused  by  the  builders  but  accepted  of  God  and  made  the  head- 
stone of  the  corner. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Conditions  of  blessing  in  the  land  and  causes  of  chastisement. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  If  we  do  not  delight  in  God's  will,  we  not  only  come  short  of  the 
blessing  promised  but  lay  ourselves  under  chastisement,  which  is  as  com- 
prehensive of  all  misery  as  His  blessings  are  of  all  happiness. 

Key  Word:      Obedience  (keep  commandments),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  58. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  64,  65.  Remarkably  fulfilled  in  the  present  dispersion  of 
the  Jews.  They  have,  through  the  centuries  been  continually  on  the 
move,  either  in  hope  of  gain  or  in  fear  of  persecution  and  so  will  continue 
until  the  King  comes  and  they  are  restored  by  Him  to  the  promised  land. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Introductory  words  to  the  Palestinian  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  We  are  bound  in  gratitude  as  well  as  duty  and  faithfulness  to 
keep  the  words  of  the  solemn  covenant  of  God,  through  Christ. 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses :      9,29. 

Striking  Facts:  Moses  concludes  the  prophecy  of  the  Jews  rejection,  v.  29,  as 
Paul  concludes  his  discourse  on  the  same  subject.  Rom.  11:33.  God  has 
kept  back  no  truth  that  it  is  profitable  for  us  to  know  about  His  counsels, 
but  only  that  which  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  ignorant  of. 


Content 


CHAPTER  THIRTY 

its:      The  Palestinian  covenant  declared. 
Characters:      God,  Moses. 
Conclusion:      Those  shall  have  life  who  choose  it.     Those  who  come  short  of 

life  and  happiness  must  thank  themselves.     They  would  have  had  it,  had 

they  chosen  communion  with  God. 
Key  Word:      Choice,  v.  19. 
Strong  Verses:      15,  19. 
Striking  Facts:      Israel  has  never  yet  taken  the  land  under  the  unconditional 

Abrahamic  covenant,  nor  ever  possessed  the  whole  land  promised.      Gen. 

15:18;  Num.  34:1-12.     The  covenant  awaits  the  coming  of  the  King  for 

its  fulfillment. 


Page  Forty-Four  DEUTERONOMY 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Moses'   last  counsel  to  the  priests  and   instruction  to  the  Levites. 

Warning  of  Israelitish  apostasy. 
Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 
Conclusion:      It  is  a  great  encouragement  to  God's  people  that  in  the  place  of 

some  useful  instrument  of  His  whom  He  removes,  He  raises  up  others  to 

carry  on  His  work. 

Key  Word:      Counsel,  (spake  these  words)  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  8. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  16.     God  has  infallible  foresight  of  all  the  wickedness  of 

the  wicked.     How  often  He  has  conferred  His  favors  upon  those  whom  He 

knew  would  deal  treacherously  and  ungratefully.     "How  unsearchable  are 

His  judgments  and  His  ways  past  finding  out." 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  song  and  exhortation  of  Moses. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      The  warning  and  consoling  words  of  God  sent  down  from  heaven 

should  sink  into  our  hearts  and  soften  them  as  the  rain  softens  the  earth, 

so  make  us  fruitful  in  obedience. 
Key  Word:      Doctrine,  v.  2.      (He  gave  a  song  of  praise,  Ex.  15,  but  this  is  one 

of  instruction) . 
Strong  Verses:      4,  29,  43. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  49,  52.     Those  may  die  happily  whenever  God  calls  them, 

who  have  had  a  believing  prospect  through  Christ  and  a  foregleam  of  the 

heavenly  Canaan  as  a  well  grounded  hope  of  life  beyond  death. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Moses'  blessing  upon  the  tribes. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      It  is  a  very  desirable  thing  to  have  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of 

those  who  are  about  to  depart  for  heaven. 
Key  Word:      Blessing,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      25,   27. 
Striking  Facts:      Thrice  happy  is  the  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.  They  are 

in  His  hand,   v.    3;    at  His   feet,   v.    3;    at   His   side,   v.    12;    between   His 

shoulders,  v.  12;   in  His  arms,  v.  27;  behind  His  shield,  v.  29,  and  fitted 

with  His  sword,  v.  29. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Vision  and  death  of  Moses. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  Those  may  leave  this  world  with  cheerfulness  who  have  known 
God  face  to  face  through  His  Son,  and  who  have  had  the  vision  of  the 
heavenly  Canaan  in  their  eye. 

Key  Word:      Death,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  It  was  reserved  for  Joshua  (the  Lord  Jesus  of  whom  Joshua 
was  a  striking  type)  to  do  for  us  that  which  the  law  could  not  do  in  that 
it  was  weak  through  the  flesh.  Through  Him  we  are  led  into  the  land  of 
rest — the  rest  of  conscience  and  the  rest  of  heaven. 

We  leave  Moses,  the  great  law  giver,  buried  in  the  plains  of  Moab.  We  leave 
our  Saviour,  who  came  to  fulfill  the  law,  and  bear  for  us  its  curse, 
seated  at  the  right  hand  of  God  on  high,  awaiting  the  hour  of  His  return, 
when  of  the  increase  and  peace  of  His  government,  there  shall  be  no  end. 


JOOK  OF  JOSHUA 


Page  Forty-Five 


Key  Thought: 

Possessions 


JOSHUA 


Number  of  Chapters: 

24 


Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

1 : 3          Capt.  of  Lord's  Hosts 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Joshua 


Date: 

About   1425   B.   C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The  faithfulness  of  Je- 
hovah to  His  own  has 
been  fully  demonstrated. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Joshua's  commission  and  command. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  make  the  Word  of  God  their  rule  and  conscientiously 

walk  by  that  rule  will  both  do  well  and  make  great  progress.     We  will  be 

animated  and  emboldened  for  God's  work  as  we  keep  our  eyes  upon  the 

divine  warrant. 
Key  Word:      Strong,  vv.  6,  7,  9,  18. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  9. 
Striking  Facts:      Joshua,   type   of  Christ   as   Captain   of   our    Salvation. 

2:10,    11.      He   comes   after   Moses,    John    1:17. 

8:37.     Our  Advocate  when  we  have  met  defeat, 

portions,  Eph.  1:11,  14. 


Heb. 

Leads   to   victory,    Rom. 
1  John  2:1.     Allots  our 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Rahab  and  the  Jericho  spies. 

Characters:      Joshua,  two  spies,  Rahab,  king  of  Jericho. 

Conclusion:      Let  not  God's  people  be  afraid  of  their  most  powerful  enemies, 

for  their  God  can,  when  He  pleases  make  their  worst  enemies  afraid  of 

them. 

ey  Word:      Spies,  v.   1. 
Strong  Verses:      18,  24. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  21.     Rahab's  scarlet  line  speaks,  by  its  color,  of  the  safety 

that   comes   to   our   households   through   the   sacrifice    of   Christ   if   it   be 

exhibited  by  faith  in  the  believer.     Heb.  9:19,  22. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  The  passing  of  Jordan. 
Characters:  God,  Joshua,  priests. 
Conclusion:  The  believer  is  to  go  on  in  the  way  of  duty,  though  foreseeing 

great  difficulties,   depending   on  the   divine   sufficiency   for   that   which   he 

finds  himself  not  sufficient  for.     "Is  anything  too  hard  for  Jehovah?" 
Key  Word:      Pass-over,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      5,  17. 
Striking  Facts:      The  passing  of  the  Jordan  is  a  type  of  the  believer's  death 

with  Christ  (Rom.  6:6-11;  Eph.  2:5,  6;  Col.  3:1-3)  in  which  we  pass  from 

an  old  world  into  a  newness  of  life. 


Conte 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

ntents:      The  memorial  stone. 
Characters:      God,  Joshua,  priests,  12  men. 

Conclusion:      God's  works  of  wonder  on  our  behalf  ought  to  be  kept  in  ever- 
lasting memory  and  means  devised  for  preserving  our  memory  of  them. 
Key  Word:      Memorial,  v.  7. 

Itrong  Verses:      22,  24. 
triking  Facts:      The  Lord  Jesus,  our  Joshua,  passed  through   the  Jordan  of 
death,   opening   the  Kingdom   to   all   believers.      He   appointed   his   twelve 
apostles  according  to  the  tribes  of  Israel  by  the  memorial  of  the  Gospel 
to  transmit  the  knowledge  of  this  to  the  remote  places  and  to  the  future 


Page  Forty-Six  JOSHUA 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Reproach  of  Egypt  rolled  away.  New  food  for  the  new  place.  The 
unseen  captain. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  (Circumcision,  the  seal  of  the  covenant  in  their  flesh,  was 
neglected  in  the  wilderness  wanderings.  They  were  hereby  owned  as 
freeborn  children  of  God,  the  reproach  of  the  bondage  in  Egypt  being 
removed.) 

God  is  jealous  for  the  honor  of  His  people  and  is  ready  to  roll  away 
whatever  reproach  they  may  for  a  time  lie  under,  if  they  become  "circum- 
cised in  heart." 

Key  Word:      Reproach   (rolled  away),  9. 

Strong  Verses:      14,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  The  N.  T.  uncircumcision  is  world  conformity,  the  failure 
openly  to  take  a  believer's  place  with  Christ  in  death  and  resurrection. 
Gal.  6:14-16;  Rom.  6:2-11. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Conquest  of  Jericho. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  priests,  Rahab,  2  spies. 

Conclusion:  The  victories  of  faith  are  often  to  be  won  by  means,  and  upon 
principles  utterly  foolish  and  inadequate  in  the  view  of  human  wisdom. 
If  faith  is  obedient  to  God's  precepts,  He  will  certainly  confound  the 
mighty  with  the  weak  things. 

Key  Word:      Pall  (of  Jericho),  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  By  the  foolishness  of  preaching,  fitly  compared  to  the  sound- 
ing of  the  ram's  horns,  the  devil's  kingdom  is  thrown  down  and  the 
weapons  of  our  warfare,  though  not  carnal,  nor  seeming  to  a  carnal  eye 
able  to  accomplish  anything,  are  yet  mighty,  through  God,  to  the  pulling 
down  of  strongholds.  2  Cor.  10:4,  5. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Sin  of  Achan  and  the  defeat  at  Ai. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Achan. 

Conclusion:      Let  all  men  know  that  it  is  nothing  but  sin  that  separates  them 

from  God  and  if  it  be  not  sincerely  repented  of  and  put  away,  will  bring 

disaster,  not  only  upon  themselves,  but  those  associated  with  them. 
Key  Word:      Accursed,  v.  13. 
Strong  Verses:      12,  13,  19. 
Striking  Facts:      The  story  illustrates  the  truth  of  the  oneness  of  the  church 

in   Christ.    1    Cor.    5:1-7;    12:12,    14,    26.      The   whole   cause   of   Christ   is 

injured  by  the  unspirituality  of  one  believer. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Conquest  of  Ai.     The  blessings  and  cursing  of  Ebal. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  king  of  Ai. 

Conclusion:  The  believer,  clad  in  the  whole  armor  of  God,  meeting  the 
enemy  of  God  as  God  directs,  will  see  the  scale  easily  and  quickly  turned 
against  those  who  have  not  God  on  their  side. 

Key  Word:      Victory  (took  the  city),  v.  19. 

Strong  Verses:      26,  35. 

Striking  Facts:  Achan,  caught  with  forbidden  spoil,  lost  it,  his  life  and  all. 
The  people  who  had  conscientiously  refrained  from  the  accursed  Thing 
were  given  the  spoil  of  Ai.  The  way  to  have  the  comfort  of  what  God 
allows  us  through  Christ  is  to  forbear  what  He  forbids  us. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      The  league  with  the  Gibeonites. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  ambassadors  of  the  Gibeonites. 

Conclusion:      We  make  more  haste  than  good  progress  in  any  business  when 

we  do  not  stop  to  take  God  along  with  us  and  by  the  Word  and  prayer  to 

ascertain  His  will. 
Key  Word:      League,  v.  15. 
Strong  Verses:      14,   25. 


JOSHUA  Page  Forty-Seven 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  4,  5,  12,  13.  God's  people  have  often  been  deceived  and 
imposed  upon  with  a  show  of  antiquity.  Those  who  will  be  caught  with 
the  Gibeonitish  strategem  prove  that  they  have  not  consulted  God. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Victory  at  Gibeon,  Makkedah,  etc.     Sun's  action  halted. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Adonizedek,  king  of  Makkedah. 

Conclusion:  When  enemies  set  themselves  in  array  against  us  and  threaten 
to  swallow  us  up,  we  may  by  faith  and  prayer,  apply  to  Christ,  our  Joshua, 
for  strength  and  succor  and  will  assuredly  receive  the  answer  of  victory 
and  faith. 

Key  Word:      Delivered,  vv.  8,  30,  32. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  14,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  A  figure  of  Christ's  victories  over  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness and  the  believer's  victories  through  Him.  All  enemies  shall  be  made 
His  footstool.  Psa.  110:1.  All  things  will  be  put  under  Him,  Heb.  2:8, 
and  principalities  and  powers  made  a  show  of.  Col.  2:15. 
v.  12.  Astronomy  demands  this  day  and  histories  of  several  countries 
declare  it  took  place.  Astronomical  calculations  have  shown  a  period 
of  23  1/3  hours  to  be  accounted  for  somewhere  in  this  period  of  time, 
v.  13.  (About  a  whole  day).  See  2  Kings  20:11 — ten  degrees,  40  min- 
utes, the  exact  balance  wanted  to  make  up  another  24  hours. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Final  conquest  of  Canaan. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Jabin,  Jobab. 

Conclusion:  Those  who,  through  obedience  to  His  precepts,  have  God  on 
their  side,  need  not  be  disturbed  as  to  the  number  and  power  of  their 
enemies.  "More  are  those  that  are  with  us  than  those  that  are  against 
us." 

Key  Word:      Delivered,  vv.  6,  8. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  As  Israel,  at  first  forwarded  by  miracles,  and  now  left  to 
make  their  own  way,  so  the  war  carried  on  against  Satan's  kingdom  was 
at  first  advanced  by  special  miracles,  but  being  sufficiently  proved  by  them 
to  be  of  God,  we  are  now  left  to  the  ordinary  assistance  of  divine  Grace 
in  Christ  in  the  use  of  the  Sword  of  the  Spirit  and  need  not  look  for  hail- 
stones nor  the  standing  still  of  the  sun. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      The  roster  of  the  kings  of  Canaan. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  Fresh  mercies  must  not  drown  the  remembrance  of  former  mer- 
cies, nor  must  the  glory  of  present  servants  of  God  be  allowed  to  diminish 
the  honor  due  those  who  have  gone  before  them,  paving  the  way  for 
later  victories,  (v.  6). 

Key  Word:      Kings,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  6,  7.  The  triumphs  and  grants  of  the  law  were  glorious 
but  those  of  the  Gospel  far  exceed  in  glory.  Jesus,  the  true  Joshua,  has 
provided  for  all  the  children  of  promise,  spiritual  blessings — the  privilege 
of  His  presence  and  heaven  hereafter. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Joshua  instructed  concerning  the  division  of  the  land. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  All  people,  and  especially  old  people,  should  set  themselves  to  do 
that  quickly  which  must  be  done  before  they  die,  lest  death  prevent  them, 
vv.  1,  7. 

Key  Word:      Divide  (the  land),  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

Striking  Facts:  Joshua  had  the  honor  of  dividing  the  land  as  Christ,  the  true 
Joshua,  who  has  conquered  for  us  the  gates  of  hell  and  opened  to  us  the 
gates  of  heaven,  purchasing  an  eternal  inheritance  for  all  believers,  will 
in  due  time,  have  the  honor  of  putting  them  in  possession. 


Page  Forty-Eight  .  JOSHUA 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Land  divided,  the  portion  of  Caleb. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Caleb,  Eleazar. 

Conclusion:      Whatever  we  undertake,  God's  favorable  presence  with  us  is  all  in 

all  to  our  success,  therefore  we  should  make  sure  of  it  by  conformity  to  His 

will  and  an  eye  to  His  favor,     vv.  8,  9. 
Key  Word:      Divided   (land),  v.   5. 
Strong  Verses:      10,  11,  12. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  12.     Because  it  was  formerly  in  God's  promise,  Caleb  shows 

how  he  values  the  promise  and  insists  on  the  mountain  the  Lord  had  spoken 

of.     The  man  of  faith  values  that  which  is  given  by  promise  far  above  that 

given  by  providence  only. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Land  divisions;  the  portion  of  Judah. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Caleb,  Othniel,  Achsah. 

Conclusion:      It  is  no  breach  of  God's  law  moderately  to  desire  those  comforts 

and  conveniences  of  life  which  are  attainable  in  a  fair  and  regular  way 

and  will  make  us  more  efficient  workmen  for  God. 
Key  Word:      Borders. 
Strong  Verses:      19. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    10.      The   blessings  of  the   upper   springs   illustrate   those 

which  relate  to  our  souls,  and  those  of  the  nether  springs  speaks  of  those 

which  relate  to  the  body  and  the  life  that  now  is. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Land  divisions;  portions  of  Manasseh  and  Ephriam. 

Characters:      None  mentioned. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  brand  of  failure  upon  the  Christian,  when  through  care- 
lessness, cowardice  or  want  of  faith  in  God,  he  fails  to  drive  out  the 
Canaanite  (world)  as  commanded.  Coveteousness  often  brings  us  into 
compromise  and  leads  eventually  to  being  infected  with  the  world's 
idolatry. 

Key  Word:      Borders,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

CHAPTER   SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Land  divisions;  portion  for  Manasseh. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Eleazar,  Moses,  Zoplehad's  daughter. 

Conclusion:  (v.  14).  Many  covet  larger  possessions  who  do  not  cultivate  and 
make  the  best  of  what  they  have.  If  we  would  have  more  talents  bestowed 
upon  us,  we  should  trade  with  those  with  which  we  are  entrusted. 

Key  Word:      Portions,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  15,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Many  Christians  try  to  serve  their  own  ends  by 
conniving  with  the  Canaanites,  whom  Christ  has  distinctly  commanded 
must  be  driven  out.  To  thus  court  compromise  with  the  world  is  to 
court  failure. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Tabernacle  set  up;  apportionment  of  land  to  seven  tribes. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  three  surveyors. 

Conclusion:  Many  Christians  stand  in  their  own  light  and  forsake  their  own 
mercies  for  the  sake  of  lying  vanities.  With  the  title  to  a  good  land,  given 
us  by  the  sacrifice  of  Christ,  we  must  not  allow  ourselves  to  be  slack  in 
possessing  it  all,  because  of  seeming  difficulties  that  are  in  the  way. 

Key  Word:      Borders,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  3. 

Striking  Fact:  The  setting  up  of  the  tabernacle  (v.  1)  in  Shiloh,  gives  a  hint 
that  in  the  coming  Shiloh  (Christ)  of  whom  Jacob  had  spoken,  all  the 
ordinances  of  the  worldly  sanctuary  would  have  their  accomplishment  in  a 
greater  and  more  perfect  tabernacle.  Heb.  9:1,  11. 


JOSHUA  Page  Forty-Nine 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Land  divisions  for  six  more  tribes. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Eleazar. 

Conclusion:  (v.  49.  The  last  served  was  the  eldest  and  greatest  man  of 
Israel).  Men  in  great  public  places  should  learn  to  prefer  the  common 
welfare  before  their  own  private  satisfaction. 

Key  Word:      Inheritance,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      47,  49. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Within  the  lot  of  Zebulun  were  places  made  illustrious 
in  the  N.  T.  Within  it  was  Nazareth  where  the  Saviour  spent  so  much  of 
His  time  and  mount  Tabor  on  which  He  was  transfigured  and  the  coast  of 
the  Sea  of  Galilee  on  which  He  preached  so  many  sermons  and  wrought  so 
many  miracles. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Cities  of  refuge. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      Other  refuge  have  we  none,  in  any  'trouble,  save  Him  in  whom 

our  trust  is  stayed. 
Key  Word:      Refuge,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      9. 
Striking  Facts:      Cities  of  refuge  typify  the  relief  which  the  Gospel  provides 

for  poor,  penitent  sinners  and  their  protection  from  the  curse  of  the  law 

and  the  wrath  of  God,  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  believers  flee 

for  refuge.     Heb.  6:18. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Land  divisions;   portions  for  Levites. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  God  performs  His  promises  to  the  utmost  (v.  45)  and  if  in  any- 
thing the  promise  seems  to  come  short,  the  saint  must  confess  that  upon 
himself  rests  all  the  blame. 

Key  Word:      Inheritance,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      44,  45. 

Striking  Facts:  There  is  an  inheritance  provided  for  all  the  saints,  God's 
royal,  priesthood  (Levites)  for  which  they  must  petition  through  the 
true  Joshua,  Christ  who  has  said,  "Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you." 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:  Two  and  a  half  tribes  dismissed  to  their  homes.  Altar  of  Reuben 
and  Gad. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Phinehas. 

Conclusion:  Unhappy  strifes  will  be  prevented  or  soon  healed  by  an  impartial 
and  favorable  inquiry  into  that  which  is  the  matter  of  the  offense.  God, 
does,  and  men  MUST  often  overlook  the  weakness  of  an  honest  zeal. 

Key  Word:      Witness,  v.   27. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  18,  29. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  28.  Those  who  have  found  the  benefits  of  God's  ordinances 
cannot  but  desire  to  perpetuate  them  upon  their  children  and  use  all 
precaution  lest  their  children  cease  from  following  the  Lord  Jesus.  To 
this  end  the  believer  should  set  up  a  constant  witness  of  Christ  in  the 
home. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Last  counsels  of  Joshua. 

Characters:      Gpd,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:      As    all    good    things    come    upon    the    believer    according    to    the 

promise,  so  long  as  we  have  kept  close  to  God,  so  all  evil  things  will  befall, 

according  to  His  threatenings,  if  we  forsake  Him. 
Key  Word:      Counsel   (said  unto  them),  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  6,  8,  10,  14. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  16.     The  goodness  of  the  heavenly  Canaan  and  the  thought 


Page  Fifty  JOSHUA 

of  the  possession  they  might  have  had,  will  aggravate  the  misery  of  those 
who  shall  be  shut  out  from  that  which  they  might  have  enjoyed  through 
God's  free  grace  in  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Last  charge  of  Joshua  and  his  death.     Eleazar's  death. 

Characters:      God,  Joshua,  Eleazar. 

Conclusion:  v.  15.  It  is  the  will  of  God  that  all  should  make  religion  their 
serious  and  deliberate  choice  and  to  resolve  upon  a  life  of  godliness 
because  upon  honest  investigation,  it  is  found  to  be  the  best  way. 

Key  Word:      Counsel,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  16,  20,  24. 

Striking  Facts:  The  book  which  began  with  triumphs  here  ends  with  funerals 
by  which  all  the  glory  of  man  is  stained. 


BOOK  OF  JUDGES  P^gc  Fifty-One 

JUDGES 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Failure  21  21:25       Messenger  of  Jehovah 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Man  is  prone  to  wander 
from  God.      God's  grace 

Samuel  About  1410   B.  C.  ever   pursues   and   seeks 

to   restore  the  backslid- 
er. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  The  incomplete  victories  of  Judah,  Benjamin  and  Manasseh. 
Characters:  God,  Judah,  Simeon,  Adoni-bezek,  Caleb,  Achsah,  Othniel. 
Conclusion:  God  appoints  service  according  to  the  strength  He  has  given 

(v.  2)  but  distrust  of  His  power  and  promise,  lose  for  us  our  advantages 

and  run  us  into  a  thousand  troubles. 

KeyWord:      Partial  victory,  (vv.  19,  21,  27,  29,  30,  31,  33). 
Strong  Verses:      2,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  2.     Judah  was  the  tribe  out  of  which  the  Saviour  sprang. 

Christ,  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  engaged  the  powers  of  darkness  and 

in  Him  we  are  more  than  conquerors. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Review  of  Israelitish  invasion  of  Canaan  up  to  Joshua's  death. 
Results  of  incomplete  obedience.  Judges  instituted. 

Characters:      God,  angel  of  Jehovah   (Jesus)  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  God  never  designed  defeat  for  His  own;  let  them  be  faithful 
to  Him  and  they  will  find  Him  unchangeably  constant  to  them.  His  coven- 
ants never  break  except  on  our  side. 

Key  Word:      Sold,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      18,  20,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  The  Angel  of  Jehovah,  v.  1,  was  none  other  than  Christ  Him- 
self. He  seemed  to  come  up  from  Gilgal,  the  place  where  their  covenant 
had  been  renewed,  of  which  they  would  be  reminded.  The  remembrance 
of  what  we  have  received  and  heard  from  God,  prepares  us  for  special  mes- 
sages from  Christ  to  hold  fast.  (Rev.  3:2,  3). 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Apostasies  of  Israel.  Deliverances  through  Othniel,  Ehud  and 
Shamgar. 

Characters:      God,  Othniel,  Chushan-rishathian,  Eglou,  Ehud,  Shamgar. 

Conclusion:  Man's  memory  is  treacherous  in  that  it  easily  forgets  God  and 
he  must  be  repeatedly  tested  that  God  might  be  kept  in  sight.  It  often 
takes  affliction  to  make  him  cry  to  God  with  importunity,  when  before 
he  would  scarcely  think  of  Jehovah.  A  deliverer  is  always  ready  to  answer 
the  prayer  of  a  contrite  heart. 

Key  Word:      Proved   (tested),  vv.  1,  4. 

Strong  Verses :      9,15. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  1,  2.  War  is  sometimes  God's  will.  When  a  country  is 
exceedingly  rich  and  fruitful,  abounding  with  dainties  of  all  sorts,  if  the 
people  are  not  sometimes  brought  to  know  hardship,  they  are  in  danger 
of  sinking  into  the  utmost  degree  of  luxury  and  effeminacy. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Victories  of  Deborah  and  Barak. 
Characters:      God,  Jabin,  Deborah,  Barak,  Sisera,  Jael. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  slight  God  in  their  prosperity,  will  find  themselves 
under  a  necessity  of  crying  mightily  to  Him  when  they  are  in  trouble.  He 


Page  Fifty-Two  JUDGES 

is  faithful  in  spite  of  our  unfaithfulness,  and  when  we  sincerely  turn  to 

Him,  He  will  give  the  victory. 
Key  Word:      Prevailed,  v.  24. 
Strong  Verses:      14. 
Striking  Facts:      It  is  a  sure  mark  of  apostasy  in  a  nation  when  a  woman  is 

found  in  the  place  of  leadership. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Song  of  Deborah  and  Barak. 

Characters:      God,  Deborah,  Barak,  Jael,  Sisera,  Shamgar. 

Conclusion:      When  we  have  received  mercy  from  God,  we  should  be  speedy  in 

our  returns  of  praise  while  the  impressions  of  the  mercy  are  fresh.     Song 

is  a  good  expedient  for  perpetuating  the  memory  of  God's  special  favors. 
Key  Word:      Song  of  praise,  vv.  2,  12. 
Strong  Verses:      31. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    20.      "Stars   fought" — the   elements   were    against    Sisera. 

Those  to  whom  God  is  an  enemy  because  of  rejection  of  His  Son  and  His 

Gospel  are  at  war  with  the  whole  creation. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      More  apostasy  in  Israel.     Call  of  Gideon. 

Characters:  God,  Angel  of  Jehovah  (Jesus),  Holy  Spirit,  Gideon,  prophet, 
Joash. 

Conclusion:  In  times  of  apostasy,  God  often  calls  His  mightiest  servants  from 
places  of  obscurity,  and  inspiring  them  with  the  assurance  of  the  divine 
presence,  He  works  through  them  great  deliverances  for  His  people. 

Key  Word:      Valour,  v.  12,  (in  God's  hands). 

Strong  Verses:      34. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  24.  Jehovah-shalom  (God  our  peace).  See  Eph.  6:15. 
The  peace  of  God,  found  alone  in  Christ  who  "is  our  peace,"  is  the  only 
preparation  for  intense  conflict.  In  the  midst  of  strife,  one  who  has  Christ 
for  his  peace,  may  be  possessed  of  perfect  tranquility  within.  If  the 
Christian  is  called  to  battle,  let  him  set  up  the  altar  of  Jehovah-Shalom. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      Gideon's  three  hundred  and  the  victory  over  Midian  and  Amalek. 

Characters:      God,  Gideon,  Phurah,  Oreb,  Zeeb. 

Conclusion:  God  wants  prepared  men  to  fight  God's  battles  with  God's  wea- 
pons in  God's  way.  A  Christian's  unfitness  for  the  battle  is  often  seen  in 
the  unconscious  and  trifling  acts  of  his  life,  which  betray  his  utter  lack 
of  faith,  (v.  5). 

Key  Word:      Victory,  v.  15. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  Empty  pitchers  (v.  16)  type  of  earthly  body,  emptied  of  self 
(2  Cor.  4:7)  but  filled  with  God's  Word,  the  lamp  (Psa.  119:105).  The 
pitcher  was  not  to  be  spared  in  the  advance,  and  the  lamp  was  to  be  held 
forth  (v.  20  Phil.  2:16).  With  the  trumpet,  the  tidings  of  victory  were 
sounded  (Mark  16:15). 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Jealousy  of  Ephriam.     Events  to  the  death  of  Gideon.     Apostasy. 
Characters:      God,  Gideon,  Zebah,  Zalmunna,  Abimelech,  Jerubbaal,  Jether. 
Conclusion:      Many  are  led  into  false  ways  by  one  false  step  of  a  good  man 

(v.  27).     False  worship  soon  makes  way  for  false  deities. 
KeyWord:      Snare,  v.  27  (whoring,  27,33). 
Strong  Verses:      23,  34. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  22.     The  Lord  Jesus  has  delivered  us  out  of  the  hands  of 

our  dangerous  spiritual  enemies,  and  it  is  fitting  that  He  should  rule  over 

us.     See  Luke  1:24,  25. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Conspiracy  of  Abimelech. 

Characters:      God,  Abimelech,  Jerubbaal,  Jocham,  Gaal,  Zebul. 

Conclusion:      Evil  pursues  sinners  and  sometimes  overtakes  them  when  they 


JUDGES  Page  Fifty-Three 

are  apparently  triumphant.  The  mighty  things  of  the  world  may  be  con- 
founded by  the  weakest,  if  God  so  wills. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  vv.  24,  56. 

Strong  Verses:      56. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Further  apostasy;  servitude  to  Philistines  and  Amorites. 

Characters:      God,  Tola,  Jair. 

Conclusion:  The  pleasures  of  sense,  the  gods  of  this  world,  cannot  be  our 
satisfaction  (v.  14).  True  happiness  and  safety  are  only  in  God,  to  whom 
a  true  penitent  will  refer  himself  for  correction  as  God  may  see  fit,  owning 
that  his  sin  is  highly  malignant  in  its  deserts  (v.  10). 

Key  Word:      Vexed,  oppressed,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  14,  16. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Jeptha's  awful  vow  and  the  victory  over  the  Ammorites. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Jeptha,  his  daughter. 

Conclusion:  A  Christian  in  the  hands  of  the  Spirit  is  assured  of  success  in 
the  undertaking  to  which  God  has  called  him.  v.  29. 

KeyWord:      Subdued  (enemy),  v.  33. 

Strong  Verses:      35,  36. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  30.  One  should  be  cautious  and  well  advised  in  the  making 
of  vows,  lest  by  indulging  a  present  emotion  even  of  pious  zeal,  they  involve 
themselves  in  a  great  mistake. 

Jeptha's  sacrifice  is  a  figure  of  the  great  sacrifice  of  Christ.  The  daugh- 
ter was  a  chaste  sacrifice,  devoted  to  death  by  the  father  and  so  made  a 
curse.  She  submitted  after  a  period  of  agony,  to  her  father's  will. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Second  jealousy  of  Ephriam. 

Characters:      God,  Jeptha,  Ibzan,  Elon,  Abdon. 

Conclusion:      Proud  men  think  all  the  honors  wasted  that  they  themselves  did 

not  win.     Envy  brings  serious  contentions  in  the  ranks  of  those  who  should 

be  as  one  to  fight  God's  battles. 

He  who  rolls  the  stone  of  reproach  unjustly  upon  another,  let  him  expect 

that  it  will  justly  return  upon  himself. 
Key  Word:      Envy,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Parents  of  Samson  and  Samson's  birth. 

Characters:      God,  Angel  (Jesus),  Holy  Spirit,  Manoah. 

Conclusion:      A  promise   is   given  to   try  our  faith   and  a   precept  to  try  our 

obedience — for    God    requires    both    faith    and    obedience    from    those    on 

whom  He  would  bestow  special  favors. 

(It  is  desirable  that  our  children  be   devoted  to   God   even  before   their 

birth.) 

Key  Word:      Conceive,  3,  24. 
Strong  Verses:      18,  23. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    18.      "Secret"   is  lit.      "Wonderful,"   the  name  applied   to 

Christ  in  Isa.  9:6.     v.  22  declares  they  were  face  to  face  with  God  who  is 

I  manifested  only  in  His  Son.  As  the  flame  ascended  from  the  altar  He 
ascended.  We  owe  the  acceptance  of  all  our  praises  and  prayers  to  His 
mediation.  It  is  Christ  in  our  hearts  by  faith  that  makes  our  offering  a 
sweet  smelling  savour. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 


Page  Fifty-Four  JUDGES 

(God  often  overrules  our  mistakes  to  take  occasion  against  the  enemies 
of  His  Truth). 

Key  Word:      Wife,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses :      6,19. 

Striking  Facts:  When  God,  by  His  providences,  brings  good  out  of  evil  to  the 
followers  of  Christ — when  that  which  has  threatened  their  ruin  turns  to 
their  advantage  and  the  wrath  of  men  turns  to  His  praise — then  comes 
meat  out  of  the  eater  and  sweetness  out  of  the  strong. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Samson  takes  vengeance  on  the  Philistines. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Samson,  his  family  and  friends. 

Conclusion:  There  is  nothing  too  hard  or  too  much  for  him  to  do  on  whom 
the  Holy  Spirit  comes  in  power,  even  though  there  are  only  the  most 
contemptible  instruments  at  hand  with  which  to  work  (foxes,  jawbone). 

Key  Word:      Avenged,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  In  the  bursting  of  Samson's  bands,  we  find  an  illustration  of 
the  way  the  Lord  Jesus  was  loosed  from  the  cords  of  death  and  came 
forth  from  the  tomb  and  graveclothes.  Thus,  He  triumphed  over  the 
powers  of  darkness  that  shouted  against  Him. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Samson  and  Delilah;  his  fatal  error  and  his  death. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Samson,  Delilah. 

Conclusion:      Beware  of  Satan  who  ruins  men  by  rocking  them  to  sleep,  nat- 
tering them  into  a  good  opinion  of  their  own  safety,  then  robbing  them 
of  their  strength  and  honor,  leading  them  captive  at  his  will. 
(God  often  leaves  men  to  do  foolish  things  to  punish  them  for  indulging 
in  the  lusts  of  uncleanness.) 

Key  Word:      Strength,  v.  6,   (departed,  v.  20). 

Strong  Verses:      20,  28. 

Striking  Facts:  Samson's  strength  was  not  in  his  hair  but  in  his  Nazarite 
consecration,  of  which  his  long  hair  was  but  a  badge.  By  losing  the 
badge,  he  forfeited  the  strength.  What  was  real  in  Samson  was  his  great 
faith  in  times  of  awful  apostasy  and  God  honored  this  faith.  Heb.  11:32. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Micah's  worship  in  self  will. 

Characters:      Micah,  his  mother,  a  Levite. 

Conclusion:  The  love  of  money  makes  much  mischief;  destroys  the  duty  and 
comfort  of  every  relation  and  frequently  leads  to  the  setting  up  of  a  false 
worship. 

Key  Word:      Graven  image,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Apostates  who  please  themselves  with  their  own 
delusions  infer,  if  providence  brings  anything  to  their  hands  that  helps 
them  in  their  way,  that  God  is  pleased  with  them.  With  all  false  worship 
there  is  usually  an  exaltation  of  false  priesthood,  usurping  the  place  of 
Christ. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      The  Danite  invasion.     Civil  and  religious  confusion. 

Characters:      Micah,  Jonathan,  priests. 

Conclusion:  Many  seek  to  justify  themselves  in  their  idolatrous  impiety  by 
the  prosperity  that  seemingly  attends  them,  not  knowing  that  many  are 
brought  to  destruction  by  their  false  security  and  that  departing  from  the 
revealed  will  of  God  concerning  worship  is  a  dangerous  move  for  a  people 
to  make. 

Key  Word:      Seeking  inheritance,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  24.  An  excellent  definition  of  idolatry.  Anything  put  in 
place  of  God,  which  man  is  concerned  about  as  if  life  and  comfort,  hope  and 
happiness  were  bound  up  in  it,  is  an  idol. 


JUDGES  Page  Fifty-Five 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      The  Levite  and  his  concubine.     Wickedness  of  Gibeonites. 

Characters:      Levite,  concubine,  her  father. 

Conclusion:      Because   men   like   not   to   retain    God   in   their   knowledge,    God 

gives  them  up  to  vile  affection  through  which  they  dishonor  themselves 

and  turn  His  glory  into  shame.     Rom.  1:24,  28. 
Key  Word:      Abused,  25. 
Strong  Verses:      30. 
Striking  Facts:      In  the  miserable  end  of  this  woman,  we  see  the  hand  of  God 

punishing  her  for  her  uncleanness.     v.  2. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Civil  war  in  which  the  Benjamites  are  punished. 

Characters:      God,  a  Levite,  Phinehas. 

Conclusion:  We  cannot  expect  the  presence  of  God  with  us  in  our  enterprises 
unless  we  seek  it  by  humbling  ourselves  before  Him.  (v.  26).  He  is  not 
under  obligation  to  prosper  us.  Men  are  often  so  confident  that  God  owes 
them  His  favor  because  they  think  their  cause  a  good  one,  that  they  think 
it  needless  to  humble  themselves  before  God  in  penitence. 

KeyWord:      Vengeance,  vv.  9,  28. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  18,  26. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Mourning  for  the  lost  tribe  of  Benjamin. 

Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  There  may  be  overdoing  in  well  doing.  Great  care  must  be  taken 
in  the  government  of  our  zeal,  for  even  necessary  justice  must  be  ren- 
dered with  compassion.  Many  a  war  is  ill-ended  which  was  well  begun. 
(2,  6,  13). 

Key  Word:      Depleted  tribe,  vv.  3,  6. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  Men  should  learn  to  be  thankful  for  magistrates,  both 
supreme  and  subordinate  for  they  are  ministers  for  God  unto  us  for  good. 
Any  government  is  better  than  no  government  or  anarchy. 


Page  Fifty-Six  BOOK  OF  RUTH 

RUTH 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Kinsman  4  4:14          Kinsman  Redeemer 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

True     rest     comes     only 

Unknown  About   1300   B.   C.  through  redemption  and 

union. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Naomi  departs  from  Moab  and  returns  with  Ruth  to  Bethlehem. 

Characters:      God,  Naomi,  Ruth,  Orpah,  Elimelech,  Mahlon,  Chilion. 

Conclusion:  When  we  take  God  for  our  Father  we  must  take  His  people  for 
our  people  though  they  be  poor  and  despised.  Those  who  forsake  the  com- 
munion of  saints  and  return  to  the  people  of  Moab  will  sooner  or  later 
break  all  communion  with  God  and  embrace  the  idols  of  Moab. 

Key  Word:      Fidelity,  v.  17. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  Many  have  a  value  and  affection  for  Christ  yet  come  short 
of  salvation  by  Him  because  they  cannot  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  forsake 
other  things  and  attach  themselves  to  Him.  If  we  resolve  that  nothing 
shall  separate  us  from  our  duty  to  Christ,  we  may  be  sure  that  nothing 
can  ever  separate  us  from  happiness  in  Him. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Ruth  serves  Boaz  who  exercises  a  great  kindness  toward  her. 

Characters:      God,  Ruth,  Naomi,  Boaz. 

Conclusion:      God  wisely  orders  small  events  and  those  that  seem  altogether 

contingent   serve    His    own   glory   and    supply   the   needs   of    His    trusting 

people. 

Key  Word:      Favour,  v.  13. 
Strong  Verses:      12,20. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.    22,    23.      If   we   would   benefit   through    Christ,    we    must 

adhere  closely  to  Him,  His  fields  and  His  servants.     Has  the  Lord  dealt 

bountifully   with    us?      Let   us   not   be   found   in   any   other    field    seeking 

happiness  and  satisfaction  in  the  world. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Ruth  rests  at  the  feet  of  Boaz. 

Characters:      God,  Ruth,  Boaz,  Naomi. 

Conclusion:      The   married   state   should   be   a   state   of   rest,    when   wandering 

affections  are  fixed  in  one  who  is  fit,  both  temporally  and  spiritually  to  be 

a  good  husband. 
Key  Word:      Rest,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      10,  11. 
Striking  Facts:      The   Lord   Jesus   is   our   Kinsman    Redeemer.      Through    His 

incarnation  He  became  kin  to  us  as  human  beings  that  we,  through  the 

Spirit,  might  become  betrothed  to  Him. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Ruth  finds  reward  in  her  marriage  to  Boaz. 

Characters:      God,  Boaz,  Ruth,  Naomi,  kinsman,  Obed. 

Conclusion:  Fair  and  square  dealings  in  all  matters  of  contract  and  business 
is  what  all  those  must  make  conscience  of  who  would  approve  themselves 
as  "Israelites  indeed  without  guile." 

Key  Word:      Kinsman  redeemer,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  At  vast  expense,  our  Lord  Jesus,  the  Bethlehemite  Redeemer 
purchased  the  heavenly  inheritance  for  us  which  by  our  sin  was  mort- 
gaged and  forfeited,  and  which  of  ourselves  we  could  never  have  redeemed. 


BOOK  OF  FIRST  SAMUEL  Page  Fifty-Seven 

I.    SAMUEL 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Kingdom  31  10:25  Seed  of  David 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Prayer    should     have    a 

Uncertain,  Samuel,  About   1155   B.   C.  great  place  in  our  lives 

Nathan  or  Gad  that    the    power    of    God 

may      work      for      and 
through  us. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      The  vow  of  Hannah  and  the  birth  of  Samuel. 

Characters:      God,  Eli,  Elkhanah,  Hannah,  Samuel,  Peninnah. 

Conclusion:  Prayer  is  heart's  ease  to  a  gracious  soul.  If  we  seek  on  the 
basis  of  God's  glory  (v.  11)  we  shall  be  confident  that  we  do  not  seek  in 
vain.  Prayer  smoothes  the  countenance  (v.  18). 

Key  Word:      Bitterness,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  27,  28. 

Striking  Facts:  True  prayer  may  only  be  offered  on  the  grounds  of  the  sacri- 
fice (v.  3).  By  Christ's  offering,  not  only  is  atonement  made  for  sin,  but 
the  audience  and  acceptance  of  our  prayers  is  obtained  for  us.  In  all  our 
supplications,  we  must  have  an  eye  to  the  Great  Sacrifice. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Hannah's  prophetic  prayer.  Evil  sons  of  Eli.  Samuel  in  the  taber- 
nacle. The  warning  to  Eli. 

Characters:      God,  Hannah,  Eli,  Samuel,  Hophni,  Phinehas,  Elkanah,  a  prophet. 

Conclusion:      Nothing    is    more    provoking    to    God    than    the    profanation    of 
sacred  things  and  men  serving  their  lusts  with  the  offerings  of  the  Lord. 
Those  who  allow  and   countenance  their  children  in  an  evil  way  by  not 
using   their    authority   to    restrain    and    punish    them,    involve    themselves 
in  their  guilt  and  may  be  expected  to  be  cast  off  from  God's  service. 

Key  Word:      Evil  sons,  v.  23. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  3,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  35.  This  had  its  full  accomplishment  in  the  priesthood  of 
Christ,  that  faithful  High  Priest  raised  up  of  God  when  the  Levitical 
priesthood  was  cast  aside,  who  in  all  things  did  His  Father's  mind,  and 
for  whom  God  builds  a  sure  house,  built  on  a  rock  so  that  the  gates  of 
hell  cannot  prevail  against  it. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Samuel  becomes  Jehovah's  prophet-priest. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  Eli. 

Conclusion:      A  child  may  have  an  ear  for  God's  call;  a  mind  for  God's  service 

and  a  message  for  God's  bidding,  for  God  will  not  be  without  a  mouthpiece 

even  though  the  ordained  priesthood  be  deaf  to  His  voice. 
Key  WTord:      Called,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      10,  18,  19. 
Striking  Facts:      God's  ministers  must  nourish  a  holy  sensitiveness  to  sacred 

things,  or  callousness  will  lead  them  to  some  sin  for  which  God  will  be 

compelled  to  lay  them  aside,     (v.  13). 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Ark  taken  by  Philistines. 

Characters:      God,  Eli,  Hophni,  Phinehas,  his  wife,  Ichabod. 

Conclusion:  One  may  go  forth  with  a  Bible  under  the  arm  and  a  shout  upon 
the  lips  and  yet  not  have  God  Himself.  Many  who  have  estranged  them- 
selves from  the  vitals  of  religion  putting  their  confidence  in  the  rituals  of 


Page  Fifty-Eight  FIRST  SAMUEL 

religion,  find  themselves  with  only  a  form  of  godliness  without  the  power 

thereof. 

Key  Word:      Ark  taken,  vv.  11,  17. 
Strong  Verses:      22. 
Striking  Facts:      Farewell,  all  in  this  world,  if  the  ark,  the  token  of  Christ's 

presence  with  us,  be  lost. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Ark  of  God  a  curse  to  Philistines. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:      Sacred  signs  are  not  things  that  God  is  tied  to  or  that  man  can 

trust  to  for  blessing.     His  presence  may  be  a  savour  of  life  unto  life  or  of 

death  unto  death. 

Key  Word:      Hand  of  the  Lord,  vv.  6,  9,  11. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 
Striking  Facts:      Those  who  contend  with  God,  His  ark  and  the  followers  of  His 

Beloved  Son  will  invariably  be  ruined  at  last. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Ark  brought  to  Joshua. 
Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  The  Word  of  God  in  the  hands  of  the  world  brings  them  con- 
demnation (v.  2)  causing  them  to  seek  to  get  rid  of  it.  By  refusing  to 
part  with  their  sins,  sinners  but  lengthen  out  their  own  miseries  (v.  4). 

Key  Word:      Ark,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      13,20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  The  return  of  the  ark  (token  of  God's  presence)  and 
the  revival  of  holy  ordinances  after  days  of  restraint  and  trouble  must  be 
a  matter  of  great  joy  to  Christians.  We  must  reverently  use  the  tokens 
of  God's  grace  through  Christ  or  we  will  be  made  to  sink  under  the  tokens 
of  His  displeasure  (v.  19). 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Ark  brought  to  house  of  Abinadab.  Revival  of  Mizpah.  Victory  at 
Eben-ezer. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  Eleazar,  Abinadab. 

Conclusion:  When  we  are  truly  sensible  that  by  sin  we  have  provoked  God 
to  withdraw  from  us  and  that  we  are  undone  if  we  continue  in  that  state, 
if  we  make  a  solemn  business  of  returning  to  God  we  may  be  assured  we 
are  on  the  way  to  a  renewed  prosperity  and  deliverance. 

Key  Word:      Return,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  8,  12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  The  Christian  should,  as  he  passes  along,  set  up  his 
Ebenezers  by  which  he  will  be  reminded  that  "hitherto  the  Lord  hath 
helped  him"  and  by  which  he  will  give  all  the  glory  of  his  victories  to 
God  and  His  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Israel  demands  a  king;  theocracy  rejected. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  his  sons,  Joel,  Abiajah. 

Conclusion:      When  God's  people  will  not  accept  His  best  for  them,  they  will 

get  the  best  they  can  be  persuaded  to  take  and,  with  the  answer  to  their 

selfish  prayers,  will  receive  also  an  added  judgment. 
Key  Word:      King,  vv.  5,  19. 
Strong  Verses:      7,  9,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    20.      For  a  professed   Christian   to  want  to   live   like   the 

world  means  not  only  that  he  is  displeasing  Christ,  but  will  at  last  find 

himself  a  dupe. 

It  was  God's  will  that  Israel  should  have  a  king  but  in  His  own  time. 

He  must  come  of  the  tribe  of  Judah    (Gen.   49:10).     Because  of  Judah's 

sin    (Gen.    38,    Deut.    23:2)    his   line   was   prohibited    from    office    for   ten 

generations.     David  is  found  to  be  the  first  one  to  satisfy  these  conditions. 

(Matt.  1). 


FIRST  SAMUEL  Page  Fifty-Nine 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Saul  chosen  king. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  Saul,  his  servant,  Kish. 

Conclusion:  The  wise  God  serves  very  great  and  certain  purposes  by  seem- 
ingly small  and  casual  affairs.  Let  us  therefore  remember  that  promo- 
tions come  not  by  chance  and  that  faithfulness  and  humility  on  the  path 
of  present  duty  are  the  key  to  exaltation  at  the  hands  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Saul,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      21,25,27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  24.  Note  the  suggestiveness  of  the  dish  set  before  Saul. 
The  shoulder  denotes  strength;  the  breast  which  went  with  it  denotes 
affection.  Let  all  who  are  called  to  minister  to  Christ's  people  be  reminded 
that  a  great  responsibility  is  upon  their  shoulders  and  that  the  people 
should  be  dear  to  their  bosom. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Saul  annointed  king. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Samuel,  Saul,  his  uncle. 

Conclusion:      Whom   God  calls  He  qualifies.      When   God  works  in   us  by  His 

Spirit,  it  serves  to  confirm  faith  and  furnish  proof  of  a  divine  commission, 

v.  9. 

Key  Word:      Annointed,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  24. 
Striking  Facts:      The  sacred  unctions  point  to  the  Great  Messiah,  the  annointed 

One  who  was  annointed  with  the  oil  of  the  Spirit  without  measure,  above  all 

priests  or  princes  of  earth. 

v.   19.      Their  obstinacy  was  a  pressage  of  their  rejecting  Christ,   in  the 

rejecting  of  whom  they  cast  off  God  that  He  should  not  reign  over  them. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Saul's  victories  at  Jabesh-gilead.     Kingdom  renewed  at  Gilgal. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Saul,  Samuel,  Nahash. 

Conclusion:      Unless  the  Christian  has  forsaken  his  covenant  with  God,  there 

is  no  occasion  for  his  courting  a  covenant  with  the  world  by  compromise. 

Through  our  King,  we  may  have  the  victory. 
Key  Word:      Compromise   (covenant)   rejected,  vv.  1,  13. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  13. 
Striking  Facts:      The  right  eye  is  the  eye  of  faith.     The  left  eye  was  covered 

with  the  shield.     By  the  compromise  they  would  be  unfitted  to  fight.    Thus 

Satan  seeks  to  cripple  the  follower  of  Christ  in  service.     A  compromising 

saint  is  always  blind  in  one  eye. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:  Samuel's  proclamation  of  the  kingdom.  Deliverances  of  God  re- 
hearsed. The  sign  of  thunder  and  rain. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel. 

Conclusion:      Religion  has  reason  on  its  side    (v.   7)   which  demonstrates  that 
obedience  to  God  is  the  happiness  of  men  and  disobedience  to  God  is  the 
ruin  of  men. 
[ey  Word:      Reason  (counsel),  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      14,  15,  22-25. 

(riking  Facts:      v.  22.     Had  God  chosen  us  on  our  good  merits,  we  might  fear 
He  would  cast  us  off  for  our  bad  merits,  but  choosing  us  in  Christ  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world,  for  His  name's  sake,  He  cannot  lose  us. 
CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 
Contents:      The  self-will  of  Saul.     He  intrudes  into  the  priests  office.     His  divine 

rejection  announced. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  Saul,  Jonathan. 

Conclusion:  Some  lay  great  stress  upon  the  external  performances  of  religion, 
thinking  thereby  to  excuse  their  ignorance  of  God  Himself.  Though  ene- 
mies press,  we  are  powerless  to  engage  them  without  God  Himself.  We 
will  make  progress  if  we  wait  upon  Him  and  become  assured  of  divine 
power. 
Key  Word:  Disobedience,  v.  13. 


^u 


Page  Sixty  FIRST  SAMUEL 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Scoffers  of  the  latter  days  think  the  promise  of  Christ's 
return  is  broken  because  He  does  not  come  in  their  time,  though  it  is 
certain  that  He  will  come  "in  such  an  hour  as  we  think  not." 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Jonathan's  great  victory  over  the  Philistines. 

Characters:      God,  Jonathan,  armor-bearer,  Saul,  Ahiah,  Abner. 

Conclusion:      Let  this  strengthen  the  weak  and  encourage  the  timid,  that  no 

matter  how  few  and  feeble  those  are  who  seek  to  Him  for  direction  and 

acknowledge  Him  in  all  their  ways,  God  will  give  the  victory.     God  can  not 

only  save  us,  but  save  by  us,  therefore  let  faith  venture. 
Key  Word:      Delivered,  v.  12. 
Strong  Verses :      6,45. 
Striking  Facts:      To  fail  to  feed  upon  the  honey  (Christ  in  the  Word)  vv.  25-30, 

is  not  time  gained  but  strength  lost,  unfitting  one  for  the  conflicts. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Saul's  incomplete  obedience  and  his  rejection  as  king. 

Characters:      God,  Samuel,  Saul,  Agag. 

Conclusion:  Some  judge  many  things  in  their  lives,  but  spare  one  Agag  which 
the  Lord  has  condemned.  Partial  obedience  spells  disobedience  and  in 
the  absence  of  perfect  obedience,  our  sacrifices  are  worthless,  v.  22. 

KeyWord:      Disobedience,  vv.  11,  19,  (rejected,  v.  23). 

Strong  Verses:      22,  24,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  We  see  how  hard  it  is  to  convict  the  children  of  dis- 
obedience of  their  sin  and  strip  them  of  their  fig  leaves,  for  they  ever 
seek  to  justify  themselves  on  the  ground  of  their  good  intentions.  Cere- 
monial observances  cannot  take  the  place  of  humble,  sincere  obedience  to 
the  will  of  God  which  requires  full  yieldedness  to  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Choice  of  David  as  king.     His  annointing  and  visit  to  Saul. 

Characters:  God,  Holy  Spirit,  Samuel,  David,  Jesse,  Saul,  Bliab,  Abinadab, 
Shammah. 

Conclusion:  Whom  God  appoints,  He  annoints,  and  whom  He  annoints  is  truly 
qualified  for  service. 

Key  Word:      Chosen,  v.  1,   (annointed,  v.  17). 

Striking  Facts:  David  means  "beloved"  for  he  was  a  type  of  the  Beloved  Son. 
As  David  was  called  from  the  place  of  obscurity  and  contempt,  so  Christ 
came  from  a  humble  walk  of  life.  David  was  first  annointed  by  God  ancj 
later  by  the  people.  (2  Sam.  2:4,  5:3).  Christ  was  annointed  at  His  bap- 
tism, and  at  His  coming  again,  it  will  be  ratified  by  His  brethren,  the  Jews 
and  all  nations. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Defiance  of  Israel  by  Goliath  and  David's  victory  over  him. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,   Goliath,   Eliab,  Abinadab,   Shammah. 

Conclusion:  The  battle  is  God's  battle.  If  our  confidence  is  purely  in  the 
power  of  God,  rather  than  in  any  armor  or  sufficiency  of  our  own,  we  may 
be  certain  the  world's  utmost  might  cannot  withstand.  God  resists  the 
proud  and  pours  contempt  upon  those  who  bid  defiance  to  His  people, 
humiliating  them  by  a  defeat  with  the  meanest  of  instruments. 

Key  Word:      Prevailed,  v.  50. 

Strong  Verses:      37,  47. 

Striking  Facts:  David's  victory  over  Goliath  is  a  type  of  the  triumph  of  the 
Son  of  God  over  Satan.  Goliath  is  also  a  remarkable  type  of  the  anti- 
Christ  (note  6  pieces  of  armor,  vv.  5-7).  David  annointed  for  the  king- 
ship but  not  yet  in  power  is  defied  by  the  boastful  champion  whom  he 
overcomes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  When  Jesus  comes  as  Lord 
of  Hosts,  anti-Christ  will  be  destroyed  by  the  brightness  of  His  coming. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Love  covenant  of  Jonathan  and  David.  Saul's  jealousy  and  attempts 
on  David's  life.  Saul's  daughter  given  to  David. 


i 


IST  SAMUEL  Page  Sixty-One 

Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,  Jonathan,  Merab,  Michal,  Adriel. 

Conclusion:  The  weeds  of  envy  will  grow  if  one  thinks  more  of  reputation 
than  of  duty.  (vv.  7,  8).  It  is  is  a  sign  that  the  Spirit  of  God  has  departed 
from  men,  if  they  be  continually  envious  and  suspicious  of  those  about 
them  and  cannot  endure  to  hear  anyone  praised  but  themselves,  v.  12. 

Key  Word:      Envy  (displeased),  vv.  8,  29. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  3,  4.  Jonathan's  love  is  an  illustration  of  the  love  the 
Lord  Jesus  has  shown  to  us.  He  stripped  Himself  to  clothe  us;  He  even 
clothed  Himself  with  our  rags  that  we  might  be  clothed  upon  with  His 
glory.  Phil.  2:5-7. 

v.  23.     We  should  magnify  the  honor  of  being  sons  to  the  King  of  Kings. 
"Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  has  bestowed  upon  us." 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Saul's  murderous  hate  pursues  David. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  David,  Saul,  Jonathan,  Michal,  Samuel. 

Conclusion:      God   always   raises   up   a   friend   for   us   in   time   of   need.      Envy 

allowed  its  way  becomes  murderous.     Cut  the  claws  of  the  tiger  pup,  lest  it 

become  a  full  grown  tiger,  when  it  is  too  late. 
Key  Word:      Murderous  envy,  vv.  1,  10,  15. 
Strong  Verses:      12. 
Striking  Facts:      The  murderous  attempts  on  the   life  of  the  annointed   king 

by  the  usurping  king,  remind  us  of  the  repeated  attempts  of  the  usurper, 

Satan,  against  the  life  of  God's  Anointed  One,  Christ,  when  He  was  upon 

Dearth. 
CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Jonathan  protects  David.     Their  parting. 
Characters:      God,  David,  Jonathan,  Saul. 

Conclusion:  Though  the  believer  be  despised  of  many,  compelled  to  leave  all 
comforts  and  part  with  best  friends  for  Christ's  sake,  be  this  our  comfort, 
that  we  have  made  an  everlasting  covenant  with  Jehovah  who  will  exalt 
us  in  due  time. 

ey  Word:      True  friend,  v.  17,  (loved  as  his  own  soul). 
Strong  Verses :       17,42. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  The  covenant  of  Jonathan  and  David  is  an  illustration 
of  that  between  God  and  the  Son  on  behalf  of  believers.  John  10:28; 
Rom.  8:32-39. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      David  flees  to  Ahimelech  and  Achish. 

Characters:      David,  Ahimelech,  Doeg,  Achish. 

Conclusion:  If  we  would  but  trust  God  aright,  we  would  not  have  to  resort 
to  miserable  and  dishonoring  devices  for  our  preservation  in  times  of 
testing. 

Key  Word:      Afraid,  v.   12. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Jesus  showed  from  this  in  Matt.  12:3  that  ritual 
observances  must  at  times  give  way  to  moral  duties  in  case  of  urgent  neces- 
sity, thus  He  justified  His  disciples  in  plucking  corn  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

in    rejection    gathers    mighty    men.      His    wanderings    and 


K 


Page  Sixty-Two  FIRST  SAMUEL 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Wanderings  and  adventures  of  David. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,  Jonathan,  Abiathar. 

Conclusion:      Whatever  befalls  us,  if  we  acknowledge  God  in  all  our  ways  and 

seek  direction  from  Him,  God  will  baffle  the  designs  of  the  enemy  and  turn 

their  counsels  in  our  favor. 

Key  Word:      Hunted  (search  him  out),  vv.  14,  23. 
Strong  Verses:      14,  16. 
Striking  Facts:      As  David  might  justly  claim  that  his  enemies  rewarded  him 

evil  for  good  and  that  for  his  love  they  were  his  adversaries,   so  Christ 

was  basely  used.     John  10:32. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      David's  mercy  to  Saul  in  En-gedi. 
Characters:      God,  David,  Saul. 

Conclusion:      Be  not  overcome  of  evil  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 
Key  Word:      Mercy  (dealt  well),  v.  18. 
Strong  Verses:      12,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  As  David  rendered  good  for  evil  to  him  from  whom  he  had 
received  evil  for  good,  he  was  a  type  of  Christ  who  saved  His  persecutors. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Samuel's  death;  David  and  Nabal.  Abigail  becomes  David's  wife, 
and  also  Ahinoam. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Samuel,  Nabal,  Abigail. 

Conclusion:  Let  the  believer  be  encouraged  to  commit  his  cause  to  God  when 
in  any  way  injured,  being  assured  that  in  His  own  good  time  God  will 
redress  the  wrongs  in  His  own  way  if  we  but  sit  still  and  leave  the  matter 
to  Him. 

Key  Word:      God  avenges  (returned  the  wickedness),  v.  39. 

Strong  Verses:      28,  29. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  44.  Saul's  defrauding  David  of  his  only  rightful  wife 
led  him  into  the  irregularity  of  having  several  wives.  When  the  marriage 
knot  is  once  loosed,  it  is  seldom  ever  tied  fast  again.  See  Matt.  19:4,  5. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Saul  spared  by  David  a  second  time. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,  Abishai,  Abner,  Ahimelech. 

Conclusion:      No  questionable  means  need  be  employed  to  help  out  God's  plans 

for  our  advancement  (v.  10)  God  can  weaken  the  strongest  and  befool  the 

wisest  on  our  behalf.     Wait  His  time. 
Key  Word:      Spared,  v.  11. 
Strong  Verses:      9,  10,  24. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  24.     As  David's  way  to  the  throne  lay  through  multiplied 

sorrows  and  difficulties,  so  does  Christ's,  who,  though  the  anointed  King 

with    undisputed   title,    yet   remains   "meek   and   lowly"    awaiting   the    set 

time. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      David  down  in  the  dumps. 

Characters:      David,  Schish,  Ahmoan,  Abigail. 

Conclusion:  Unbelief  is  a  sin  that  besets  those  who  have  been  undergoing 
long  trials.  It  is  no  advantage  to  us  when  we  are  in  the  dumps,  to 
cross  over  the  borders  into  the  world  for  comfort,  for  we  cannot  expect 
God's  protection  when  we  are  out  of  His  will. 

Key  Word:      Discouragement  (I  shall  perish),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

Striking  Facts: 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      David  among  Israel's  enemies.     Saul  consults  the  witch. 
Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,  Samuel,  Achish,  witch. 

Conclusion:  Seek  the  Lord  while  He  may  be  found  for  there  is  a  time  when 
He  will  not  be  found  (v.  6).  To  think  that  any  spiritualistic  medium  can 


FIRST  SAMUEL  Page  Sixty-Three 

be  of  help  when  God  has  frowned  upon  us,  is  to  heap  contempt  upon  God, 
who  has  expressly  forbidden  all  such  recourse. 

Key  Word:      Spiritism,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Never  did  Saul  look  so  mean  as  when  he  went  sneaking 
to  a  spiritist  at  night.  Such  works  are  of  the  darkness  and  cannot  bear 
the  light.  Either  Satan  had  Samuel  impersonated,  or  else  God  on  this 
occasion,  actually  sent  back  the  spirit  of  Samuel,  that  Saul  might  get  an 
answer  to  his  design  and  should  be  given  up  to  strong  delusions. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      David  saved  from  fighting  against  Israel. 

Characters:      David,  Achish. 

Conclusion:  God's  providence  orders  wisely  and  graciously  for  His  children 
even  when  they  have  sadly  erred.  Even  the  ill  favor  of  men  may  turn 
out  to  be  for  our  good  that  a  door  might  be  opened  for  deliverance  out  of 
straits  our  own  folly  have  brought  us  into. 

Key  Word:      111  favor,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:      David  avenges  the  destruction  of  Ziglag. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Abiathar,  an  Egyptian. 

Conclusion:  When  we  go  abroad  to  tarry  for  a  while  with  the  enemies  of 
God's  people,  we  may  expect  to  be  met  with  evil  tidings  when  we  return 
home  again.  In  the  mercy  of  God,  we  can  even  then,  if  called  according 
to  His  purpose,  encourage  ourselves  in  God  and  be  assured  that  He  will 
overrule  and  bring  light  out  of  darkness  and  peace  out  of  trouble. 

Key  Word:      Recovered,  vv.  8,  18. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Death  of  Saul  and  Jonathan. 

Characters:      Saul,  Jonathan,  Abinadab,  Melchi-shua. 

Conclusion:  As  men  live,  so  will  they  die.  Those  are  indeed  in  a  deplorable 
condition,  who,  despairing  of  the  mercy  of  God,  would  leap  into  a  hell 
before  them  thinking  to  escape  the  hell  within  them.  We  all  need  to 
pray,  "lead  us  not  into  temptation." 

Key  Word:      Defeat,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  12. 

Striking  Facts:  The  book  which  began  with  the  birth  of  a  godly  man  ends 
with  the  burial  of  a  wicked  man.  Let  the  two  lives  teach  us  to  prefer 
the  honor  that  comes  from  God  rather  than  that  which  Satan  pretends 
to  bestow. 


Page  Sixty-Four  BOOK  OF  SECOND  SAMUEL 

II.    SAMUEL 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Kingdom  24  1   Sam.   10:25  Seed  of  David 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Uncertain  About   1155   B.   C.  Be    sure    your    sin    will 

find  you  out. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      David  mourns  the  death  of  Saul  and  Jonathan. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Saul,  Jonathan,  an  Amalekite. 

Conclusion:  He  that  is  deeply  concerned  for  the  honor  of  God  cannot  rejoice 
in  the  afflictions  that  come  upon  his  enemies.  In  the  disgrace  that  comes 
upon  them,  let  us  not  forget  their  former  successes  and  real  service. 

Key  Word:      Mourned,  vv.  12,  17. 

Strong  Verses:      26,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  The  killing  of  the  Amalekite  who  brought  the  message 
was  just.  David  made  him  own  a  second  time  that  he  was  an  Amalekite 
and  in  slaying  him,  David  did  what  his  predecessor  should  have  done  and 
was  rejected  for  not  doing. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      David  received  as  King  of  Judah.     Abner  makes  Ish-bosheth  king 

over  eleven  tribes.     Civil  war. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Abner,  Ish-bosheth,  Joab,  Abishai,  Asahel. 
Conclusion:      We   may   expect,    one    upon   another,    trials   of   our   faith    in    the 

promises  of  God  and  of  our  patience,  whether  we  can  wait  God's  time  for 

the  performances  of  the  promises. 
Key  Word:      Annointed,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      1. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    4.      Jesus    first   presented    Himself   to    Judah.      Thus,    like 

David,   His  kingdom  is  set  up  by  degrees.      He  is  Lord  of  all  by  divine 

designation  but  we  see  not  yet  all  things  put  under  His  feet. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Abner  deserts  to  David.     Joab's  murder  of  Abner. 

Characters:      God,   David,  Joab,  Abner,   Ish-bosheth,   Michal,   Phaltiel,   Rizpeh, 

Abishai,  Asahel. 
Conclusion:      Evil  pursues  sinners  and  will  overtake  them  at  the  last  in  one 

way  or  another.      (Illustrated  both  in  the  case  of  Abner  and  that  of  Joab, 

v.  29). 

Key  Word:      Great  man  fallen,  v.  38. 
Strong  Verses:      39. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   37.     The  servants  of  the  King  of  Kings  do  many  things 

thinking  to   further  His   Kingdom,   that   have   not   His   sanction   and   will 

bring  trouble  upon  the  heads  of  those  who  do  them  in  His  name  without 

His  leading. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Murder  of  Ish-bosheth. 

Characters:      David,    Ish-bosheth,    Mephibosheth,    Baanahm,    Rechab. 

Conclusion:  The  guilt  of  blood  brings  a  curse,  and  if  men  do  not  avenge  it, 
God  will. 

Key  Word:      Murder,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  9.  God  had  hitherto  helped  him  in  his  difficulties  and  in 
coming  to  the  throne,  David  would  therefore  depend  upon  Him  and  not 
the  devices  of  men  to  complete  His  purpose.  Let  this  teach  us  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  coming  to  the  throne,  not  by  man  dragging  in  the  millenium  but 
by  the  hand  of  God  Himself. 


SECOND  SAMUEL  Page  Sixty-1'ivc 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      David  becomes  king  over  Israel.     War  with  Philistines. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Hiram. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  the  Lord  of  Hosts  for  them  need  have  no  fear 
what  hosts  of  men  or  demons  can  do  against  them.  If  we  grow  great 
and  win  many  victories,  we  can  only  ascribe  our  advancement  to  -God's 
favor  with  us. 

Key  Word:      Annointed,  v.  3,  (victory,  v.  25). 

Strong  Verses:      10,  19. 

Striking  Facts:  David  was  recognized  as  king  on  three  counts.  (1)  Of  their 
flesh,  v.  1.  Christ,  Matt.  25:40.  (2)  Their  leader  in  battle,  v.  2.  Christ, 
Josh.  5:13-15.  (3)  Designated  by  God,  v.  2.  So  also  Christ,  Rom.  3:25. 
As  David  had  three  annointings;  one  by  God,  one  by  Judah  and  one  by  all 
tribes,  so  Christ  was  annointed  at  His  baptism,  will  be  received  of  the 
Jews  and  later  of  all  nations. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      David  seeks  to  bring  the  ark  to  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Michal,  Uzzah,  Obed-edom,  Abinadab. 

Conclusion:  God  will  have  His  work  done  in  His  own  way  and  cannot  bless 
us  if  we  carry  it  on  under  wrong  principles.  We  need  to  seek  His  direc- 
tions continually  lest  we  do  good  things  in  a  wrong  way. 

Key  Word:      Ark,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

Striking  Facts:  Careful  directions  had  been  given  how  the  ark  must  be  borne. 
Num.  4:1-15.  David  adopted  a  Philistine  method.  1  Sam.  6:7,  8.  We 
cannot  expect  God's  blessing  if  we  employ  heathen  methods  in  doing  the 
work  of  Christ's  church. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      David's  desire  to  build  the  Lord's  house.     The  Davidic  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Nathan. 

Conclusion:  We  need  no  more  to  make  us  happy  than  to  have  God  for  a 
Father  to  us.  If  He  is  our  Father,  we  must  be  dutiful  children,  or  expect 
His  chastisements,  which  are  an  article  of  the  covenant  and  which  flow 
from  His  father-love. 

Key  Word:      Established  (kingdom),  v.  16,  (confirmed,  v.  24). 

Strong  Verses :      14,22,25. 

Striking  Facts:  The  covenant  confirmed  to  David  by  the  oath  of  Jehovah  and 
renewed  to  Mary  by  the  angel  Gabriel,  is  immutable,  and  God  will  yet  give 
to  the  thorn-crowned  King  the  throne  of  His  Father  David  forever.  Luke 
1:31-33;  Acts  2:29-33,  15:1-17. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Full  establishment  of  David's  kingdom. 

Characters:      God,   David,  Hadadezer,  Joram,  Toi. 

Conclusion:      After  the  long  and  frequent  struggles  which   the   Christian  has 

with  the  powers  of  darkness,  he  shall  at  last  be  made  more  than  conqueror 

and  shall  reign  with  Christ. 
Key  Word:      Reigning,  v.  15. 
Strong  Verses:      14. 
Striking  Facts:      The  Son  of  David  shall  at  length  put  down  all   principality 

and  power  and  take  the  throne.  He  has,  as  David  had,  a  line  to  kill  and 

a  line  to  save.      The  Gospel  is  to  some  a  savor  of  life   unto  life  and   to 

others  a  savor  of  death  unto  death. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      David's  kindness  to  Mephibosheth. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Mephibosheth,  Ziba,  Machir,  Micha. 

Conclusion:  Kindness  is  one  of  the  laws  of  Christianity  and  the  Christian 
should  seek  opportunity  of  doing  good.  The  most  necessitous  are  gener- 
ally the  least  clamorous  and  the  best  objects  of  our  kindness  and  charity 
are  such  as  will  be  discovered  only  through  our  inquiry. 

Key  Word:      Kindness,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 


Page  Sixty-Six  SECOND  SAMUEL 

Striking  Facts:  The  story  gives  us  a  picture  of  salvation  by  God's  grace  in 
Christ.  Grace  comes  to  the  helpless,  those  "sold  under  sin;"  invites  us 
to  the  place  of  peace  and  satisfaction;  feasts  us  at  God's  table;  keeps  our 
lame  feet  out  of  sight. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The  Ammonite-Syrian  war. 

Characters:      David,  Joab,  Abishai,  Hanun,  Hadarezer,  Shobach. 

Conclusion:  False  men  are  ready  to  think  all  others  as  false  as  themselves. 
There  is  nothing  so  well  meant  but  that  it  may  be  misinterpreted,  and  is 
likely  to  be  so  by  men  who  love  nobody  but  themselves.  ''Love  thinketh 
no  evil." 

Key  Word:      Kindness  misinterpreted,  vv.  2,  3. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  The  Christian  may  learn  not  to  lay  too  much  to  heart 
the  reproaches  he  receives  for  Christ's  sake,  for  they  will  soon  wear  off 
and  turn  eventually  to  the  shame  of  their  authors.  "God  will  bring  forth 
thy  righteousness  as  the  light — wait  patiently  for  Him." 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      David's  great  sin. 

Characters:      David,  Uriah,  Bathsheba,  Joab. 

Conclusion:  A  Christian  with  natural  tendencies  to  sensuality  may  have 
cravings  even  when  the  general  bent  of  his  mind  is  to  live  in  God's  will. 
The  devil  finds  work  for  idle  hands  to  do  (v.  1)  and  we  should  therefore 
be  warned  of  the  danger  of  having  nothing  in  particular  to  do.  Sin  started 
leads  to  more  sin  to  hide  it.  After  all,  the  atmosphere  of  trial  and  diffi- 
culty is  the  occasion  of  highest  strength. 

Key  Word:      Adultery,  v.  4,   (murder,  v.  15). 

Strong  Verses:      11,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  We  need  to  bear  in  mind  that  as  the  chosen  seed  through 
which  Messiah  was  to  come,  David  and  others  of  the  direct  line  had  the 
combined  forces  of  evil  against  them  to  accomplish,  if  possible  their  down- 
fall. Of  all  men,  they  should  have  walked  in  hourly  dependence  on  God. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:  David's  rebuke  and  repentance.  Birth  of  Solomon.  Ammonite 
victory. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Nathan,  Bathsheba,  Joab. 

Conclusion:  If  the  believer,  brought  face  to  face  with  his  sins  sincerely  con- 
fesses and  repents  of  them,  he  may  be  restored  to  fellowship,  although 
God  will  not  interfere  with  the  consequences  in  this  life,  v.  1. 

Key  Word:      Confession  and  restoration,  v.   13. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  22,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  God  always  has  His  man  for  His  work  and  while  it  may  cost 
the  man  nights  of  pain  and  prayer  to  deliver  the  message  of  Christ  he  may 
be  sure  that  if  God  sent  him,  his  message  will  accomplish  its  purpose.  A 
dogmatic  message  is  truer  and  more  tender  than  soft  speeches  that  do 
not  arouse  conscience. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Ammon's  crime.     Absalom's  vengeance  for  Tamar's  wrong. 

Characters:      David,  Absalom,  Ammon,  Tamar,  Jonadab. 

Conclusion:      Fleshly  lusts  are  their  own  punishment  and  not  only  war  against 

the  soul  but  against  the  body  also,  and  are  the  rottenness  of  the  bones. 

The  sin  of  adultery  makes  awful  mischief  in  families  and  the  sinner  serves 

a  hard  master. 

Key  Word:      Shame,  v.  13,   (avenged,  v.  32). 
Strong  Verses:      39. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    1.      Those  who   are   peculiarly  beautiful   have   no   reason, 

on  that  account  to  be  proud,  but  great  reason  to  stand  upon  their  guard. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      The  recall  of  Absalom  and  David's  forgiveness. 
Characters:      God,  David,  Joab,  Absalom,  woman  of  Tekoah,  Tamar. 


SECOND  SAMUEL  Page  Sixty-Seven 

Conclusion:      If     we     let     private     affections     stand     in     the     way    of     public 

duty   (See  Gen.   9:6)   we  may  justly  expect  that  God  will  make  the  one 

whom  our  foolish  pity  spares,  a  scourge  upon  us. 
Key  Word:      Forgiven,  v.  33. 
Strong  Verses:      14. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    33.      If  the  compassion   of  a   father   prevails   to  reconcile 

him  to  an  impenitent  son,  shall  penitent  sinners  doubt  the  compassion  of 

God,  in  His  Son,  when  they  truly  come  to  Him? 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Absalom  steals  the  love  of  ten  tribes.     David's  flight. 

Characters:      God,   David,  Absalom,   Ittai,   Zadok,   Abiathar,   Hushai,   Ahimaaz, 

Jonathan,  Ahitophel. 
Conclusion:      He  who  steals  one  heart  away  from  another  by  means  of  innuen- 

dos  is  the  vilest  of  robbers,  and  especially  when  professed  devotion  to  God 

is  used  as  a  pretext  to  carry  out  the  design,      (v.  7). 
Key  Word:      Conspiracy,  v.  12. 
Strong  Verses:      25,  26. 
Striking  Facts:      The   mother   of   this   rebellious   son   was   the    daughter    of   a 

heathen  king.     David,  in  this  unhappy  issue  of  the  marriage,  has  to  smart 

for  being  unequally  yoked  with  an  unbeliever. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      False  servant  of  Mephibosheth.      Shimea   curses   David.      Absalom 

takes  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Abishai,  Ziba,  Shimei,  Absalom,  Hushai,  Ahitophel. 
Conclusion:      A  humble  and  tender  spirit  will   turn   reproaches   into   reproofs 

and  so  get  good  by  them  instead  of  being  provoked  at  them.     The  world's 

smiles  are  more  dangerous  than  its  frowns. 
Key  Word:      Cursed,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      11,  12. 
Striking   Facts:      v.    9.      David    is   herein    a    type    of   Christ   who    rebuked    his 

disciples,   who  in   zeal  for  His  honor,   would   have  used   their  miraculous 

powers  on  the  heads  of  those  who  affronted  Him.      (Luke  9:55). 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Conflicting  counsel  of  Ahitophel  and  Hushai. 

Characters:      God,    David,    Absalom,    Ahitophel,    Hushai,    Shobi,    Machir,    Bar- 

zillai,  Ahimaaz,  Jonathan,  Amasa,  Joab. 
Conclusion:      It  is  to  the  comfort  of  all  who  fear  God  that  He  has  an  overruling 

hand  in  all  counsels  and  a  negative  voice  in  all  resolves,  and  laughs  at 

men's  projects  against  His  annointed  ones. 
Key  Word:      Counsel,  v.  15. 
Strong  Verses:      27,   28,   29. 
Striking  Facts:      Absalom  is  a  type  of  the  false  Messiah,  who  will  gather  an 

army  against  Christ  the  Greater  David    (Rev.   19:19),  meeting  his  defeat 

in  the  brightness  of  Christ's  coming. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Battle  of  Mount  Ephriam.     Slaying  of  Absalom. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Absalom,  Joab,  Abishai,  Ittai,  Ahimaaz,  a  Cushite. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  exalt  themselves  shall  be  abased.      It  never  pays  to 

take  counsel  against  the  Lord  and  His  annointed. 
Key  Word:      Avenged,  v.  31. 
Strong  Verses:      31,  33. 
Striking  Facts:      As  the  false  king  was  cast  into  a  pit,  so  anti-Christ  will  be 

thrown  into  the  bottomless  pit  at  the  coming  of  Christ,   and  then  every 

tongue  shall  confess  that  Christ  is  King  of  Kings. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Joab  reproaches  David's  return  to  the  throne. 

Characters:      David,    Joab,    Zadok,    Abiathar,    Shimei,    Ziba,    Abishai,    Mephib- 
osheth, Barzillai,  Chimham,  Amasa. 
Conclusion:      A   good   man   and   a  good   cause   will   again   recover   their   credit 


Page  Sixty-Eight  SECOND  SAMUEL 

and  interest,  though,  for  a  time,  they  may  seem  to  have  lost  them.     The 

good  services  done  will  still  be  remembered  when  men  come  to  their  right 

minds. 

Key  Word:      Return,  v.  14. 
Strong  Verses:      22,  23. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  14,  15.     Our  Lord  Jesus  will  rule  in  those  who  invite  Him 

to  the  throne  of  their  hearts,  and  not  until  He  is  invited. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Joab  murders  Amasa.      Suppression  of  Sheba's  revolt. 

Characters:      David,  Joab,  Amasa,  Sheba,  Abishai. 

Conclusion:      We  must  not  think  it  strange  while  in  this  world  if  the  end  of 

one  trouble  be  the  beginning  of  another,  but  God  will  bring  us  victoriously 

through  them  all,  if  we  but  trust  in  His  wisdom. 
KeyWord:     Traitor,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:     20. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.   12,   13.     Wicked  men  think  themselves  safe  if  they  can 

just    conceal    it    from    the    eye    of    the    world.      The    covering    of    blood 

with  a  cloth  cannot  stop  its  cry  for  vengeance  in  God's  ears. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Three  years  famine.     Saul's  sons  slain.     War  with  Philistines. 

Characters:  God,  David,  Rizpah,  Ishbi-benab,  Abishai,  Sebechai,  Saph,  Elhanan, 
Jonathan. 

Conclusion:  When  we  are  under  God's  judgments,  we  should  enquire  the 
grounds  of  the  controversy,  and  when  the  cause  is  revealed,  should  go  to 
all  lengths  to  make  right  the  wrongs  of  the  past,  that  God's  full  blessing 
may  be  renewed  upon  us. 

Key  Word:      Recompense    (atonement)    v.   3. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  9,  13,  14.  Through  Christ  who  was  hanged  and  made  a 
curse  for  us  to  expiate  our  guilt,  though  He  was  Himself  guiltless,  God 
is  entreated  for  us.  In  token  of  the  completeness  of  the  sacrifice  they  took 
Him  down  from  the  cross  and  laid  Him  in  the  sepulchre. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:     David's  song  of  deliverance. 

Characters:     God,  David. 

Conclusion:     No  believer  has    so  little  from  God  but  there  is  ground  for  praise, 

nor  so  much  but  that  he  has  need  to  call  upon  God.     Praise  is  the  blossom 

of  prayer. 

Key  Word:     Praise,  vv.  4,  50. 
Strong  Verses:      2,  3,  4,  31,  33,  48. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:     Last  words  of  David.     Deeds  of  his  mighty  men. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  David,  Joshebbasheth,  Adino,  Bleazar,  Shammah, 

Abishai,  Benaiah,  other  great  men. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  have  ventured  themselves  for  the  good  of  the  public 

are  worthy  of  double  honor,  both  to  be  respected  by  their  fellow  citizens 

and    to    be    remembered    by    their    posterity.      Though    our    deeds    be    not 

recorded  by  men,  they  are  recorded  in  heaven. 
Key  Word:     Mighty  men,  v.  8. 
Strong  Verses:      2. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.   3,  5.      The  verses  have  a  prophetic  application  to  Christ 

who  is  to  be  the  just  ruler,  ordering  all  things  according  to  His  Father's 

will,  and  who  will  be  as  the  light  of  the  morning. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:     David's  sin  in  numbering  the  people.     His  choice  of  punishment. 
Characters:     God,  angel  (Jesus),  Joab,  David,  Gad,  Araunah. 


SECOND  SAMUEL 


Page  Sixty-Nine 


Conclusion:  God  does  not  judge  of  sin  as  we  do.  What  appears  to  us  to 
be  but  a  small  offense,  may  be  a  great  sin  in  the  eyes  of  God  who  knows 
men's  principles,  being  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
heart.  His  judgments  are  according  to  the  truth. 

Key  Word:     Sinned,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:     10,  24. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  Christ  is  our  altar  and  sacrifice.  Through  Him  alone 
may  we  expect  to  get  favor  with  God  and  to  escape  His  wrath  for  our  sins. 


Page  Seventy  BOOK  OF  FIRST  KINGS 

I.    KINGS 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Royalty  22  2:12  King  of  Kings 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Jehovah  is  the  sover- 
eign ruler  of  Israel 

Uncertain  About  560  B.  C.  blessing  the  obedient, 

punishing  the  disobed- 
ient, and  forgiving  the 
penitent. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  David's  declining  strength.  Adonijah  plots  to  seize  kingdon. 
Counter  plot  of  Nathan  and  Bath-sheba.  Solomon  annointed. 

Characters:  God,  David,  Solomon,  (Adonijah),  Joab,  Nathan,  Bath-sheba, 
Zadok,  Benaiah,  Abiathar,  Jonathan,  Abishag,  Shimei,  Rei. 

Conclusion:  When  men  exalt  themselves,  God  very  often  leaves  them  to 
themselves  until  they  are  corrected  with  a  scourge  of  their  own  making. 
He  that  in  the  morning  grasps  at  a  crown,  may  before  night  be  forced  to 
hold  to  the  horns  of  the  altar  and  beg  for  life.  God  will  be  consulted. 

Key  Word:     Self-exalted,  v.  5   (humbled,  v.  50). 

Strong  Verses:      29,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  39.  Solomon  is  a  type  of  Christ  as  Prince  of  Peace,  (Isa. 
9:  6;  1  Chron,  22:9)  Jesus  will  not  fulfill  the  Solomon  type  until  He  has 
fulfilled  the  David  type.  Chosen  before  born  (Isa.  42:1)  Rode  into  Jeru- 
salem on  a  mule  (Jn.  12:14-16)  Annointed  (Acts  10:38)  Peace  filled  the 
earth  when  His  reign  was  finally  set  up  (Zech.  14:9). 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:     David's  charge  to  Solomon,  David's  death.     Execution  of  Adonijah. 

Abiathar  removed.     Execution  of  Shimei. 
Characters:       God,    David,    Solomon,    Bath-sheba,    Adonijah,    Abishag,     Joab, 

Abiatha,  Benaiah,  Shimei. 
Conclusion:     The  punishment  of  sin  may  be  slow  of  foot  but  it  is  sure  of  nose 

and  will  at  length  find  the  offender.      Even  a  hoary  head,  ought  not  to  be 

any  man's  protection  from  justice. 
Key  Word:      Punishment,  vv.  5,  8. 
Strong  Verses:      2,  3. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Alliance  of  Solomon  and  Pharoah.  Marriage  with  Pharoah's 
daughter.  Loses  at  Gibeon.  Solomon's  prayer.  His  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon,   two  women. 

Conclusion:  The  wisdom  of  God  is  laid  up  for  those  who  have  the  spirit  of 
a  child  (Lk.  10:21)  vv.  8,  9.  A  knowledge  of  our  own  limitations  is  very 
essential  to  true  success,  if  we  have  learned  that  the  power  of  the  omnip- 
otent God  is  at  our  disposal. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom,  vv.  9,  28. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 

Striking  Facts:  Wisdom:  Its  beginning,  Psa.  111:10.  Its  source,  Dan.  2:20- 
22.  Its  quality,  Jas.  3:17.  Way  to  it,  1  Cor.  3:18.  Personification  of  it, 
1  Cor.  1:30.  How  to  obtain  it,  Jas.  1:5.  Who  is  it  for,  Mt.  7:24-25. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Princes  and  commissaries  of  Israel.     Solomon's  reign  and  wisdom. 
Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      There  is  spiritual  peace  and  joy  and  a  holy  security  for  all  faith- 
ful subjects  of  God's  Annointed  One. 
Key  Word:      Safety,  v.  25. 


FIRST  KINGS  Page  Seventy-One 

Strong  Verses :      25. 

Striking  Facts:      Solomon  was  a  type  of  Christ  in  whom  are  hidden  all  the 

treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge — hidden  for  a  use — for  "He  is  made 

unto  us  wisdom." 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Preparation  for  building  the  temple. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  Hiram. 

Conclusion:  Satan  does  all  he  can  to  hinder  the  work  of  God's  temple,  but 
when  he  is  withheld  for  a  time,  we  should  be  extra  zealous  in  that  which 
is  good  that  we  might  carry  it  forward  to  completion.  (Acts  9:31). 

Key  Word:      Temple,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  The  costly  stones  speak  of  Christ  who  was  laid  for 
the  foundation  of  the  spiritual  temple,  an  elect  and  precious  stone. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Work  on  the  temple  begun.     Dimensions  and  materials. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      We  should  not  mistake  noise  and  notoriety  for  spiritual  progress 

(v.  7).     Quietness  and  order  both  become  and  befriend  the  carrying  on  of 

spiritual  work. 
Key  Word:      Finished,  v.  14. 
Strong  Verses:      12. 
Striking  Facts:      Christ  is  the  true  Temple  (Jn.  2:21).     God  Himself  prepared 

Him  (Eph.  1:4;  Heb.  10:5).     In  Him  all  God's  spiritual  children  meet  and 

through  Him  have  access  to  God. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      Work  on  the  temple  and  Solomon's  house. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  Hiram. 

Conclusion:      God  who  is  best  should   be  served  and   honored  with   our  best. 

Key  Word:      Work  ended,  v.  51. 

Strong  Verses:      51. 

Striking  Facts:      The  temple  is  not  only  a  type  of  Christ  but  of  the  believer  who 

is  also  spoken  of  as  a  temple,  or  habitation  of  God.  (1  Cor.  3:16-17;  6:19). 

It  should  be  as  beautiful  as  the  Holy  Spirit  can  make  it,  therefore  we  should 

be  yielded  to  His  master  strokes. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Ark  brought  in;  Skekinah  glory  fills  the  temple.    Solomon's  sermon. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  All  cost  and  pains  are  lost  on  stately  structures  unless  God  has 
been  in  .the  work,  and  if  He  fails  to  manifest  His  glory  in  them,  they  are 
after  all  but  a  ruinous  heap.  A  temple  without  the  ark  and  the  glory  are 
like  a  candlestick  without  a  candle. 

Key  Word:      Dedicated  (filled  with  glory)  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:       10,  27,  57,  58,  61. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  a  great  thing  when  a  nation's  ruler  can  be  led  of  the 
Spirit  in  prayer  and  when  he  realizes  that  all  answer  to  prayer  is  only  on 
the  ground  of  the  shed  blood  of  Christ,  vv.  22,  62.  (Heb.  9:22;  10:19-20). 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Jehovah  appears  to  Solomon.     Covenant  made.      Solomon's  fame. 

Characters:      God,    Solomon,    Hiram. 

Conclusion:      God    deals   plainly   with    men   and   sets   before   them   blessing   or 

cursing.      God  never  fails  to  perform  His  part  of  a  covenant  and  if  we 

improve  the  grace  He  is  willing  to  give,  He  will  confirm  us  to  the  end. 
Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      9,  25. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  7.     (Israel  shall  be  a  byword)  lit.  a  "sheninah."     Some  have 

thought  that  the  epithet  "sheeney"  used  in  speaking  disgustingly  of  Jews 

throughout  the  centuries,  came  from  this  prophecy. 


Page  Seventy-Two  FIRST  KINGS 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Solomon  and  the  queen  of  Sheba.     His  revenue  and  splendor. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  queen  of  Sheba. 

Conclusion:  That  fame  is  true  fame  which  has  associated  with  it  the  name  of 
the  Lord  and  which  challenges  inquiry  into  the  means  of  God's  grace. 

Key  Word:      Fame,  vv.  7,  23. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  24. 

Striking  Facts:  Mt.  12:42.  Christ  mentions  this  queen's  inquiry  after  God 
through  Solomon  as  showing  the  stupidity  of  those  who  would  not  enquire 
after  God  through  Jesus  Christ  who  was  God  manifest  in  the  flesh  and 
therefore  better  able  to  instruct  them  than  anyone  else. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  Solomon's  heart  turned.  Chastened  of  God.  Rise  of  Jeroboam. 
Death  of  Solomon. 

Characters:  God,  Solomon,  Hadad,  Pharaoh,  Rezon,  Jeroboam,  Adoram, 
Ahijah. 

Conclusion:  The  way  of  sin  is  down  hill  and  those  who  get  into  it  cannot 
easily  get  untangled.  God  at  first  appointed  one  woman  for  one  man, 
and  he  who  thinks  one  not  enough,  will  not  be  satisfied  with  two.  When 
our  love  is  set  on  the  things  of  the  flesh,  we  may  be  sure  we  have  lost  our 
love  for  God  and  are  on  the  way  to  trouble. 

Key  Word:      Backslidden,  v.  9    (heart  turned). 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  32.  The  house  of  David  must,  in  spite  of  everything  be 
kept  intact,  because  out  of  it  was  to  come  the  Messiah.  As  it  was  spared 
on  account  of  the  promise  to  David,  so  all  God's  favors  shown  to  us  are 
for  Christ's  sake  and  the  covenant  made  with  Him. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Accession  and  folly  of  Rehoboam.     Kingdom  divided. 

Characters:      God,  Rehoboam,  Jeroboam,  Adoram,  Shemiah. 

Conclusion:  Taking  the  counsel  of  unspiritual  men  always  spells  blunder  and 
a  rough  answer  never  fails  to  bring  division.  If  we  make  God  the  source 
of  our  counsel  (Jas.  3:15)  we  will  avoid  all  folly. 

Key  Word:      Counsel  forsaken,  vv.  8,  13. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 

Striking  Facts: — The  golden  calf  was  set  up  where  the  first  altar  to  God  had 
been  placed  (v.  29  Gen.  12:8).  All  isms  originate  in  man's  heart  (v.  26), 
have  a  selfish  purpose  back  of  them  (v.  27-29)  and  are  launched  on  a  pre- 
tense that  it  is  for  the  people's  good;  yet  always  tend  to  sin  and  idol- 
atry. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:  Warning  of  punishment  for  idolatry.  Disobedience  and  death  of 
the  prophet. 

Characters:      God,  Jeroboam,  disobedient  prophet,  lying  prophet. 

Conclusion:  If  we  offer  to  God  that  which  is  an  abomination  to  Him  (the  wor- 
ship of  the  flesh)  the  offerer  will  certainly  fall  under  the  wrath  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Warning,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses :      4,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  9.  God  would  teach  His  servants  not  to  have  fellowship 
with  the  works  of  darkness,  lest  they  fall  under  their  contagion  and  give 
them  encouragement.  The  devil  always  has  his  snares  ready  to  entrap 
one  who  bears  Christ's  message. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Prophecy  against  Jeroboam  and  partial  fulfillment.     Judah's  apos- 

tacy  under  Rehoboam  and  his  death. 
Characters:      God,    Ahijah,    Jeroboam,    Rehoboam,    Shishak,  wife  and  son  of 

Jeroboam. 
Conclusion:      Be  not  deceived;   God  is  not  mocked  and  often  He  makes  quick 

work  of  sinners.     If  men  of  prominence  do  wickedly  they  involve  many 


FIRST  KINGS  Page  Seventy-Three 

others  who  follow  their  pernicious  ways   (v.  16)   and  he  who  leads  many 

others  to  hell  must  answer  eternally  for  it. 
Key  Word:      Cut  off,  v.  10. 
Strong  Verses:      9,  16. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Accession    of    Abijam    and    Asa    over    Judah.      War    with"  Baasha. 

League  with  Syria.      Accession  of  Nadab  over  Israel  and  Baasha  over  Israel. 
Characters:      God,  Abijam,  Asa,  Nadab,  Baasha,  Ben-hadad. 
Conclusion:      Divine  threatenings  are  not  bugbears,  for  no  word  of  God  shall 

fall  to  the  ground.     The  harboring  of  evil  MUST  eventuate  in  open  defeat 

and  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Wars,  vv.  6,  16,  20,  29,  32. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  11. 
Striking  Facts:     v.  14   (Cp.  v.  18)  A  heart  perfect  with  the  Lord  is  not  sinless 

perfection,  nor  flawless  obedience,  but  sincerity  of  intent  and  desire  to  do 

Christ's  will. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

tents:      Evil  reigns  of  Baasha,  Elah,  Zimri,  Omri,  Ahab — kings  of  Israel. 
Characters:      God,  Baasha,  Jehu,  Elah,  Zimri,  Omri,  Ahab,  Jezebel,  Tibni,  Hiel, 

Segub. 
Conclusion:      Destruction,  when  it  comes,  whoever  is  the  instrument  of  it,  is 

the  act  of  God's  justice  and  the  result  of  sin.      Those  who  resemble  others 

in  their  sins  may  expect  to  get  similar  plagues. 
Key  Word:      God  provoked,  v.  2. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Elijah's  ministry  and  prediction    of  drought.     Elijah  fed.     Raising 

of  the  widow's  son. 

Characters:      God,  Elijah,  Ahab,  Sarephath  woman,  her  son. 
Conclusion:      God  can  wonderfully  raise  up  servants  and  suit  them  to  the  work 

He  designs  them  for.     He  can,  if  He  chooses,     use  one  man  to  arrest  the 

downward  movement  of  a  nation,  and  with  no  weapon  but  the  Word  of 

God  and  prayer. 
Key  Word:      Man  of  God,  v.  24. 
Strong  Verses:      1,24. 
Striking  Facts:      God  marvelously  provides  for  His  true  servants  in  times  of 

sore  testing.     He  may  be  called  upon  at  times  to  live  from  hand  to  mouth, 

but  if  it  be  from  God's  hand,  each  day's  need  will  be  supplied. 

v.  13.     "Bring  it  to  me."     Cp.  Mt.  14:18.     Herein  Elijah  is  a  type  of  Christ 

as  our  provider. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Elijah  goes  to  meet  Ahab  and  gives  challenge.     Contests  with  the 

priests  of  Baal. 

Characters:      God,  Elijah,  Jezebel,  Obadiah,  Baal, — priests. 
Conclusion:      The  man  of  faith  need  not  be  afraid  to  risk  his  all  on  the  honor 

of   God    (v.    23).      Let  opposers   who   talk   of   the   failure   of   Christianity, 

do    what    it    does — bring    down    the    consuming,    cleansing,    illuminating 

power  of  God  into  the  lives  of  men. 
Key  Word:      Challenge,  v.  24. 
Strong  Verses:      21,  37,  39. 
Striking  Facts:      Those  who  are  given  great  power  for  public  service  for  God, 

need  to  constantly  humble  themselves  before  God  and  give   Him  all  thi 

glory.     He  who  bows  lowest  in  the  presence  of  God  will  be  able  to  stand 

straightest  in  the  presence  of  sin. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      God's  care  of  His  overwrought  prophet.     Call  of  Elisha. 
Characters:      God,  Elijah,  Jezebel,  Elisha. 

Conclusion:      Even  though  we  faint  in  our  faith,   God  abideth  faithful.      The 
best  thing  for  a  discouraged  man  is  to  get  where  he  can  see  from  God's 


Page  Seventy-Four  FIRST  KINGS 

viewpoint  (v.  11)  which  he  can  do  only  by  coming  before  God  in  prayer. 
Key  Word:      Discouragement,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses :      7,18. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  12.     Under  law  God  spoke  to  His  people  with  terror,  but  in 

the  Gospel  of  Christ,  which  was  introduced  in  the  spirit  and   power  of 

Elias,  He  speaks  by  a  still  small  voice  which  makes  none  afraid.     Heb. 

12:18. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Ahab's  Syrian  campaigns  and  victories.     His  sin  in  sparing  Ben- 

hadad. 

Characters:      God,  Ahab,  Ben-hadad,  two  prophets. 
Conclusion:      Enemies    are    more    than    a    match    for    us,    but    no    match    for 

Jehovah.     God  often  uses  one  wicked  man  to  scourge  another. 
KeyWord:      Victory,   (vv.  13,  28);  Disobedience,   (v.  42). 
Strong  Verses:      13. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  42.     There  are  times  when  keeping  back  the  sword  from 

blood  is  doing  the  work  of  God  deceitfully.     Foolish  pity  spoils  many  a 

victory. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Ahab   covets  Naboth's  vineyard.      Elijah   announces   Ahab's   doom. 

Characters:      God,  Elijah,  Ahab,  Naboth,  Jezebel. 

Conclusions:      One  may  covet  and  get  what  it  is  not  God's  will  for  them  to  have, 

but  he  may  be  sure  that  with  it,  he  will  get  a  curse.     Coveteousness  opens 

the  door  for  all  sin. 
Key  Words:      Coveting,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  29. 
Striking  Facts:      Coveteousness  was  the  first  sin  in  Eden    (Gen.   3:6)    first  on 

entering  the  promised  land    (Josh.   7:21)    first  in  the  early  church    (Acts 

5:1-3). 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Alliance  of  Ahab  and  Jehosophat.     Ahab's  ultimate  defeat. 

Characters:  God,  Jehoshaphat,  Ahab,  Micaiah,  Zedekiah,  Syrian  king,  false 
prophets,  Ahaziah. 

Conclusion:  He  who  joins  himself  in  affinity  with  vicious  men,  rejects  the 
counsels  of  God  and  hates  the  preachers  of  God's  Word,  will  find  that  no 
masquerade  will  hide  him  from  God's  judgment  and  that  no  armor  is 
proof  against  His  vengeance. 

Key  Word:      Alliance,  v.  4.      (Defeat,  v.   37). 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  The  greatest  kindness  possible  to  a  person  going  on  a 
dangerous  path  is  to  tell  them  God's  truth,  as  it  is  in  Christ.  Through 
self-styled  prophets  multitudes  are  led  on  their  way  to  destruction. 


BOOK  OF  SECOND  KINGS  Page  Seventy-Five 

II.    KINGS 


Key  Thought: 

Rolalty 

Number  of  Chapters: 

25 

Key  Verse:             Christ  seen  as: 

10:10                   Kings  of  Kings 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Uncertain  (Ezra) 

Date: 

About  560  B. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God's  Word  is  certain 
C.                  of    fulfillment   to    saint 
and  sinner. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Elijah's  message  to  Ahaziah.      Elijah's  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  angel   (Jesus),  Elijah,  Ahaziah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  will  not  inquire  of  the  Word  of  God  for  their  comfort 
will  be  made  to  listen  to  it,  whether  they  wish  it  or  not.  To  consult  with 
the  devil's  agents  as  to  fortune  means  departure  from  God. 

Key  Word:      Prediction,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      15. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  All  heaven  is  interested  in  Christ's  true  servants. 
Who  can  harm  those  whom  God  will  shelter? 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Translation  of  Elijah.  Faith  of  Elisha.  Theological  students  and 
their  unbelief.  Elisha's  miracle. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Elisha,  Elijah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  know  they  are  soon  going  to  heaven  should  be  con- 
cerned for  those  they  are  leaving  behind  to  carry  on  God's  service  and  to 
leave  with  them  their  experiences,  testimonies,  counsels  and  prayers. 

Key  Word:      Translated,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  Those  who  ask  for  the  mantle  of  and  walk  in  the  steps  of  their 
godly  and  faithful  predecessors  will  certainly  experience  the  same  grace. 
Jordan  means  "judgment"  Christ  and  the  believer  go  together  (v.  8) 
through  the  judgment  of  the  cross.  Gal.  2:20;  Rom.  6:3. 


i 


CHAPTER  THREE 

tents:      Accession    of    Jehoram    over    Israel.      Moab    rebels    against    Israel. 

Elisha's  reproof  of  alliance   between   Jehoshaphat  and   Jehoram.      Defeat 

of  Moabites. 
Characters:      God,  Jehoram,  Jehoshaphat,  Mesha,  king  of  Moab,  king  of  Edom, 

Elisha. 
Conclusion:      It  would  often  go  hard  with  us  if  God  did  not  take  more  care 

of  us,  both  for  body  and  soul,  than  we  take  for  ourselves.      For  reasons 

which   He   alone   knows,   God   sometimes   puts   victories   in   the   hands   of 

those  who  are  not  faithful  to  Him. 
Key  Word:      Victory,  v.  18. 
Strong  Verses:      18. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Increase  of  the  widow's  oil.  Woman  of  Shunom  and  her  son 
restored  to  life.  Noxious  pottage  healed.  A  hundred  men  fed. 

Characters:  God,  Elisha,  widow,  Shunanmite  woman,  Gehazi,  sons  of  proph- 
ets, man  of  Baalshalishah. 

Conclusion:  Be  a  man  of  God  and  God  will  give  you  His  work  to  do.  He 
who  has  power  from  God  to  satisfy  the  deepest  needs  of  man  will  never 
want  for  applicants. 

Key  Word:      Man  of  God,  vv.  7,  9,  16,  21,  22,  40,  42. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  40,  41. 

Striking    Facts:      v.    41.      When    the    theological    student    feeds    on    the    wild 


Page  Scvcnty-Si.v  SECOND  KINGS 

gourds  of  the  world,  he  will  find  himself  in  the  grip  of  spiritual  death. 
The  meal,  made  of  bruised  corn,  speaks  of  Christ  in  the  Gospel.  If  the 
results  of  the  cross  are  put  in  the  pot,  it  will  take  away  its  poison. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Naaman  the  Syrian  healed  by  obeying  Elisha's  word. 

Characters:      God,  Elisha,  Naaman,  maid,  Syrian  king,  king  of  Israel,  Gehazi. 

Conclusion:  There  is  little  hope  for  one  who  is  more  concerned  about  his 
dignity  than  his  disease,  but  full  blessing  is  assured  to  one  who  will  hum- 
ble himself  as  a  little  child  and  walk  in  the  light  of  God's  commands. 

Key  Word:      Leper  cleansed,  vv.  1,  14. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  Leprosy  is  an  intense  symbol  of  sin.  1.  Circulates  in  the 
blood,  hereditary.  2.  Contagious.  3.  Subtle,  at  first  concealing  its 
presence.  4.  Unclean,  a  state  of  living  death.  1  Tim.  5:6.  5.  Banish- 
ing, Rev.  21:27.  6.  Incurable  by  human  power,  Jer.  13:23.  7.  Its  only 
cure,  the  power  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Elisha  recovers  the  lost  axe.     Seige  of  Samaria  by  Syrians. 

Characters:      God,    Elisha,    Ben-hadad,    Jehoram,    nameless    woman. 

Conclusion:  The  Christian  on  his  knees  can  see  more  than  the  philosopher  on 
his  tiptoes.  They  who  fight  against  God  are  given  up  to  delusions,  not 
knowing  that  the  believer  has  God,  (Rom.  8:13)  Christ,  (Mt.  28:20)  the 
Holy  Spirit,  (Jn.  16:16-17)  and  angels  (Heb.  1:14)  on  his  side. 

Key  Word:      Man  of  God,  v.  9    (Prayer,  v.  17). 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  The  God  of  nature  is  not  tied  up  to  its  laws.  As  He 
raised  the  iron  against  the  natural  laws,  so  His  grace  can  raise  the  iron 
heart  which  has  sunk  into  the  mud  of  this  world  and  raise  up  affections 
naturally  earthly  to  things  above. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Jehovah's  terror  upon  the  Syrians. 

Characters:      God,   Elisha,   Jehoram,   captain  of   Israel,   four   lepers. 

Conclusion:      Faith  expects  from  God  what  is  beyond  all  human  expectation. 

They  who  cannot  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  take  God  at  His  Word,  forfeit 

all  benefits  of  His  promises. 
Key  Word:      Promise  fulfilled,  vv.   1,   16. 
Strong  Verses:      6,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  6,  7.      The  wicked  flee  when  no  man  pursues.     God  can,  if 

He  wills,  dispirit  the  boldest  and  most  brave  enemy  of  Christ's  cause,  and 

make  the  stoutest  heart  to  tremble  at  the  shaking  of  a  leaf. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Famine  predicted.  Jehoram  restores  the  Shunanmite  land.  Reigns 
of  Jehoram  and  Ahaziah  of  Judah  and  Joram  of  Israel. 

Characters:  God,  Elisha,  Gehazi,  Jehoram,  Ben-hadad,  Hazael,  Ahaziah,  Shun- 
anmite woman. 

Conclusion:  God  through  His  ministers,  calls  for  reformation  and  obedience, 
and  if  the  calls  be  not  regarded,  men  may  expect  plagues  and  evil  days  to 
come,  for  He  WILL  be  heard,  (vv.  1,  12). 

Key  Word:      Prediction,  vv.  1,  10. 

Strong  Verses:      19. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Men  often  think  themselves  sufficiently  armed  against 
those  sins  by  which  they  are  afterward  entirely  overcome. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  Jehu  annointed  king  of  Israel.  Slays  Jehoram,  Ahaziah  and  Jez- 
ebel. 

Characters:      God,  Elisha,  a  prophet,  Jehu,  Jezebel,  Jehoram,  Ahaziah,  Ahab. 

Conclusion:  God  doesn't  always  pay  up  for  sin  every  week,  but  in  the  end, 
He  pays.  He  is  known  by  His  judgments. 

Key  Word:      Sin  requitted,  vv.  26,  36. 

Strong  Verses:      26. 


SECOND  KINGS  Page  Seventy-Seven 

Striking  Facts,  v.  11.  Men  who  have  no  religion  commonly  look  upon  follow- 
ers of  Christ  as  mad.  Of  the  Savior  they  said,  "He  is  beside  himself." 
Of  John,  "He  has  a  devil."  Of  Paul,  "Much  learning  hath  made  thee 
mad." 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Judgment  on  house  of  Ahab.  Princes  of  Judah  slain.  Baal  wor- 
ship put  out.  Jehu's  reign  and  death. 

Characters:      God,  Jehu,  Jehonadab,  Hazael. 

Conclusion:  God  is  not  the  author  of  any  man's  sin,  but  even  by  that  which 
men  do  from  bad  principles,  He  serves  His  own  purposes  and  takes  ven- 
geance on  those  who  have  defied  Him. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  vv.  10,  17. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  16.  If  we  aim  at  the  applause  of  men  and  make  their 
praise  our  highest  aim,  instead  of  the  honor  of  Christ,  we  are  upon  a  false 
bottom.  An  upright  heart  approves  itself  to  God  and  covets  no  more 
than  His  acceptance. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Royal  seed  of  Judah  destroyed.      Joash  becomes  king.      Execution 

of.  Athaliah.     Revival  through  Jehoida. 

Characters:      God,    Joash,    Jehoida,   Athaliah,    Jehoshaba. 
Conclusion:      All  attempts  to  frustrate  God's  revealed  purpose  are  foolish  and 

bound  to  be  fruitless.     Who  can  disannul  what  God  has  purposed?     Though 

the  promise  be  bound  up  in  one  life,  yet  will  it  not  fail. 
Key  Word:      Preserved,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      17. 
Striking  Facts:      Three  times  the  royal  line      was  all  extinct  except   for   one 

babe.     Moses,  Heb.  11:23;  Joash,  v.  3.     Christ,  Mt.  2:12-16. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Reign  of  Joash  over  Judah  and  his  death.      Repair  of  the  templp. 

Characters:      God,   Joash,  Jehoida,  Hazael. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  are  entrusted  with  public  money  for  the  carrying  on 

of  God's-  work  should  learn  to   deal   faithfully,   as   those  who   know   God 

will  reckon  with  them,   if  men  do  not.      Loose   financial   methods  in  the 

church    dishonor    God. 
Key  Word:      Repairing  temple,  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      2,   15. 
Striking   Facts:      v.    9.      This   is   the   first   mite   box   mentioned   in    the    Bible. 

The  last  one  is  in  Mk.  12:4. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:  Reign  of  Jehoahaz  over  Israel  and  his  death.  Accession  of  Jehoash 
and  his  death.  Elisha's  death  and  the  miracle  at  his  tomb. 

Characters:      God,  Elisha,  Jehoahaz,  Jehoash,  Hazael. 

Conclusion:  The  slowness  of  God's  processes  against  sinners  must  be  con- 
strued to  the  honor  of  His  mercy,  not  to  the  impeachment  of  His  justice 
(v.  23).  It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies,  that  they  are  not  consumed. 

Key  Word:      Gracious,  v.  23. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  It  is  much  to  our  spiritual  advantage  to  attend  the 
death  beds  of  Christlike  men  that  we  might  hear  their  last  counsels. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

•ntents:      Reign   of   Amaziah   over   Judah.      War   between   Israel   and   Judah. 

Reign  of  Jeroboam  in  Jerusalem. 
aracters:      God,  Amaziah,  Jehoash,  Jeroboam,  Jonah,  Azariah. 

lusion:      Those  who  are  too  eager,  through  pride,  to  fight,  may  get  enough 
of  it  in  quick  order.     Many  would  have  honor  and  wealth  enough,  if  they 
but  knew  when  they  had  enough. 
Key  Word:      Defeat,  v.   12. 
Strong  Verses:      26,    27. 


Page  Seventy-Eight  SECOND  KINGS 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:  Reign  of  Azariah  and  Jotham  over  Judah  and  Zechariah,  Shallum, 
Menahem,  Pekahiah,  Pekah  over  Israel. 

Characters:  God,  Azariah,  Jotham,  Zechariah,  Shallum,  Menahem,  Pul,  Peka- 
hiah, Pekah,  Rezin,  Ahaz. 

Conclusion:  God  may  for  a  time  suffer  wickedness  to  prosper  that  it  may  of 
itself  carry  away  the  wealth  and  honors  that  might  have  been  kept  if 
God  had  been  recognized.  One  wicked  man  is  made  the  scourge  of  another 
and  every  wicked  man  sooner  or  later  ruins  himself. 

Key  Word:      Reigns. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Reign  of  Ahaz  over  Judah.     Assyrians  take  Damascus. 

Characters:      God,  Ahaz,  Tiglath-pileser,  Urijah,  Rezin,  Pekah. 

Conclusion:      That  religion  is  of  no  worth  which  is  guided  by  fancy  instead  of 

faith  (v.  10).     The  hearts  of  idolaters  walk  after  their  eyes. 
Key  Word:      Abominations,  v.  3. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:  Reign  of  Hoshea  in  Israel.  Israel  becomes  tributary  to  Assyrians. 
The  sins  of  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Hoshea,  Shalmaneser,  So. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  forget  God  may  themselves  expect  to  b*  forgotten. 
Those  who  try  to  be  like  the  world  may  expect  to  be  swallovtfd  up  by 
the  world.  Those  who  will  not  serve  God  in  their  own  land  j*«t6d  not 
be  surprised  if  they  are  forced  to  serve  enemies  in  a  strange  lane. 

Key  Word:      Carried  away,  vv.  6,  18. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  14,  37,  39. 

Striking  Facts,  v.  7.  From  this  captivity,  Israel  has  never  been  restored  to 
Palestine.  See  Deut.  28:15-68.  A  remnant  of  Judah  returned  but  the 
national  restoration  is  yet  to  be  fulfilled. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Reign  and  revival  of  Hezekiah  over  Judah.  Victory  over  Phillis- 
tines.  Invasion  of  Sennacherib.  Insolence  of  Rab-shekeh. 

Characters:  God,  Hezekiah,  Hoshea,  Shalmaneser,  Sennacherib,  Eliakim,  Sheb- 
nah,  Tartan,  Rabsaris,  Rab-shakeh,  Joah. 

Conclusion:  Santanic  suggestions  are  always  artful  and  cleverly  managed 
and  well  sprinkled  with  pride,  malice,  falsehood  and  blasphemy.  Thus 
Satan  steals  a  man's  watch  and  explains  it  so  well,  the  victim  gives  him 
his  coat  and  vest. 

Key  Word:      Seducers,  v.  30. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   7. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:  Hezekiah's  message  to  Isaiah  and  the  answer.  Sennacherib 
defies  God.  Hezekiah's  prayer  and  the  answer  through  Isaiah. 

Characters:  God,  angel  (Jesus),  Hezekiah,  Isaiah,  Sennacherib,  Eliakim, 
Shebna,  Rab-shakeh. 

Conclusion:  Prayer  changes  things.  If  the  motive  of  our  prayer  is  the  honor 
of  God,  we  may  be  sure  He  will  graciously  and  copiously  answer,  being 
able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think. 

Key  Word:      Prayer  answered,  vv.  19,  34. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  34. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  30.  The  remnant  shall  yet  again  be  planted  in  their  own 
habitations  and  shall  take  root  there  and  grow  rich.  That  soul  is  indeed 
prosperous  who  takes  root  downward  by  faith  in  Christ,  and  then 
becomes  fruitful  upward  in  righteousness. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Hezekiah's  illness  and  recovery. 

Characters:      God,  Hezekiah,  Isaiah,  Berodach-baladan. 

Conclusion:      Neither  greatness  nor  goodness  can  exempt  us  from  sickness,  yet 


SECOND  KINGS  Page  Seventy-Nine 

often  when  the  death  sentence  has  apparently  been  received  within  the 
body,  it  is  reversible  through  Spirit-born,  faith-filled  prayer. 

Key  Word:      Healed,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  It  is  duty  to  make  use  of  legitimate  means  to  assist 
nature  when  we  are  sick,  unless  God  has  by  a  special  revelation  made  it 
clear  that  He  intends  to  heal  entirely  by  miraculous  power.  Medicines  are 
God-given  and  He  has  graciously  made  them  serviceable  to  man  in  con- 
sideration of  the  poor. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Evil  reigns  of  Manasseh  and  Amon  in  Judah. 
Characters:      God,  Manasseh,  Amon. 

Conclusion:      Those  have  much  to  answer  for  who  not  only  are  wicked  them- 
selves but  help  to  make  others  so.     v.  16. 
Key  Word:      Evil  reigns,  vv.  2,  20. 
Strong  Verses:      11,12. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:  Reign  of  Josiah.  Repairing  temple  and  finding  of  the  book  of  the 
law. 

Characters:  God,  Josiah,  Hilkiah,  Shaphan,  Huldah,  Ahikam,  Achbor, 
Asahiah. 

Conclusion:  An  unread  Bible  is  a  lost  Biole  and  a  lost  Bible  always  means 
spiritual  degeneracy  and  its  accompanying  curses.  When  man  finds  the 
Word,  the  Word  is  quick  to  find  him  and  convict  him  of  sin.  Either  sin 
keeps  one  from  the  Book  or  the  Book  keeps  one  from  sin. 

Key  Word:      Bible  found,  v.   13. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  19. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Law  read  to  the  people.     The  king's  covenant  and  reformations. 
Characters:      God,      Josiah,      Hilkiah,      Pharaoh-neche,      Jehoahaz,      Jehoikim, 

Eliakim. 
Conclusion:      We  should   put   ourselves   heartily  into   God's   hands   for   service 

and  as  far  as  our  influence  goes,  our  endeavors  should  go  to  do  good  and 

bring  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  to  an  end. 
Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  25. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Jehoikim     tributary     to     Nebuchadnezzar.       Reigns     of     Jehoikim, 

Jehoichin  and  Zedekiah.     Deportation  to  Babylon. 
Characters:      God,  Jehoiakim,  Jehoiachin,  Zedekiah. 
Conclusion:      Time  will     not  wear  out  the  guilt  of  sin.     Threatenings  will  be 

fulfilled  as  certainly  as  promises  if  the  sinner's  repentance  prevent  not. 
Key  Word:      Judgment,  vv.   3,    14. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 

CHAPTER  TWTENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Seige  of  Jerusalem  and  final  deportation. 

Characters:      God,    Zedekiah,    Nebuchadnezzar,    Gedaliah,    Ishmael,    Evil-mero- 

dach,  Jehoiachin. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  have  by  sin  provoked  God  to  leave  them  may  expect 

ultimately  to  be  encompassed  about  with  innumerable  evils. 
Key  Word:      Broken  up,  v.  4. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  30.     Let  none  say  they  shall  never  see  good  again  because 

they  have  so  long  seen  nothing  but  evil,  for  we  know  not  what  good  turn 

providence  may  yet  give  to  our  affairs  according  to  the  days  wherein  we 

have  been  afflicted.     Psa.  90:15. 


Page  Eighty  BOOK  OF  FIRST  CHRONICLES 

I.    CHRONICLES 

Key  Thought :  Number  of  Chapters :  Key  Verse :  Christ  seen  as : 

Temple  29  2  Chron.  15:2         God's  true  King 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Jehovah     is     the     sov- 

Uncertain    (Ezra)  About  1000  B.  C.  ereign     Lord     blessing 

the   obedient   and   pun- 
ishing the   disobedient. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Genealogy:   Adam  to  dukes  of  Edom.     The  patriarchal  line. 
Characters:      Adam,  Noah,   Shem,  Abraham,   Isaac,   Ishmael,   Esau,   Israel. 
Conclusion:      We  are  all  by  nature  the  seed  of  Adam.     Let  us  see  to  it  that  by 

faith  we  become  the  spiritual  children  of  Abraham.     Rom.  4:11-12. 
Key  Word:      Genealogy. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Genealogy,  sons  of  Judah. 
Characters:      Jacob,  Judah,  Boaz,  Jesse,  David. 

Conclusion:      The  best  and   most  honorable   families   may  have   those   belong- 
ing to  them  who  are  black  sheep. 
Key  Word:      Genealogy. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Genealogy  of  David's  line. 

Characters:  David,  Solomon,  Rehoboam,  Jehoshaphat,  Hezekiah,  Manasseh, 
Josiah,  Zerrubabbel. 

Conclusion:  Since  piety  and  devotion  are  not  hereditary,  it  behooves  all  par- 
ents to  consecrate  their  children  to  God  long  before  they  are  born  and  to 
do  their  best  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord, 
praying  for  the  coming  generations. 

Key  Word:      Genealogy. 

Striking  Facts:  From  David's  line  our  Lord  came,  as  regards  the  flesh,  as 
appears  from  Lk.  3:31. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Posterity  of  Judah  and  Simeon. 

Characters:      God,  Jabez,  Caleb. 

Conclusion:      If  we  set  ourselves  to  acknowledge  God  in  all  our  ways  we  put 

ourselves  under  the  divine  blessing  and  protection  and  will  be  prospered 

accordingly,      (v.  10). 
Key  Word:      Genealogy. 
Strong  Verse:      10. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Line  of  Reuben,  Gad,  half  of  Manasseh.     Captivity  for  their  sins. 

Characters:      Reuben,  Judah. 

Conclusion:      In  all  conflicts  we  must  look  up  to  heaven  for  strength  and  it  is 

believing  prayer  that  will  be  prevailing  prayer. 
Key  Word:      Genealogy. 
Strong  Verses:      20,  22. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  22.     If  we  depend  upon  a  commission  from  God  to  wage 

war  upon  another  country  we  may  depend  upon  His  providence  to  give 

success. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Sons  of  Leyi.     Cities  of  the  priests  and  Levites. 
Characters:      Gershom,  Kohath,  Merari,  Aaron,  Moses  and  Miriam. 
Conclusion:      There  is  always  abundance  of  service  to  be  done  by  God's  children 


FIRST  CHRONICLES  Page  Eighty-One 

in  His  house.     As  everyone  has  received  the  gift,  therefore  let  him  minis- 
ter according  to  all  that  God  has  commanded. 

Key  Word:      Genealogy. 

Strong  Verses:      49. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      Sons  of  Issachar,  Benjamin,  Naphtali,  Manasseh,   Ephriamy  Asher. 

Characters:      As  above,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  (v.  22).  It  is  often  the  burden  of  those  who  live  to  be  old  that 
they  see  their  children  go  before  them.  It  is  a  brotherly  and  friendly 
office  on  the  part  of  the  Christian,  to  comfort  such  in  their  afflictions  with 
the  Word  of  God. 

Key  Word :      Genealogy. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  21.  Ephriam  had  been  promised  a  seed  that  should  become 
a  multitude  (Gen.  48:19)  and  here  the  promise  seems  defeated.  God's 
providences  many  times  seem  to  contradict  His  promises,  but  eventually 
God  makes  the  promise  more  illustrious  by  wonderfully  fulfilling  it. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Sons  of  Benjamin.     The  stock  of  Saul  and  Jonathan. 

Characters:      Ehud,  Saul,  Jonathan. 

Conclusion:       (v.  40).     It  is  much  to  a  man's  praise  that  he  is  qualified  to  serve 

his  country  being  mighty  in  valor,  even  though  not  a  child  of  God. 
ey  Word:      Genealogy. 


CHAPTER    NINE 

Contents:      Record  of  the  Israelites.     The  charge  of  certain  Levites. 

Characters:      God,  Eleazar,  Saul,  Jonathan. 

Conclusion:      God's    work    is    likely    to    be    done    well    when    each    knows    the 

duty  of  his  place  and  makes  a  business  of  it.      That  which  is  everybody's 

work  in  the  church  will  generally  be  nobody's  work. 
Key  Word:      Inhabitants. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Saul's  overthrow  and  death.  Triumph  of  the  Philistines.  Saul's 
sin. 

Characters:      God,  Saul,  Jonathan,  David. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  abandon  themselves  to  the  devil's  leading  will  be 
abandoned  by  God  and  their  doom  will  be  according  to  their  transgress- 
ions. 

Key  Word:      Retribution,  v.  13. 

Strong  Verse:      13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Those  who  love  their  children  will  avoid  sin  lest  they 
bring  ruin  on  their  children  with  themselves  or  entail  a  curse  upon  them 
in  later  years. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      David  becomes  King  of  Israel.     Catalog  of  his  mighty  men. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Joab,  Jashobeam,  Eleazar,  Abishai,  Benaiah. 

Conclusion:  God's  counsels  will  be  fulfilled  at  last,  whatever  seeming  difficul- 
ties lie  in  the  way. 

Key  Word:      Annointed   (king),     v.  3. 

Strong  Verse:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  The  honors  of  Christ's  kingdom  are  prepared  for  those 
who  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith  and  are  willing  to  venture  even  life 
itself  for  Christ's  sake. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      David's  army  at  Ziglag.     The  leaders  who  made  David  king. 

Characters:      Holy  Spirit,   David,  Amasai,   Jehoiada. 

Conclusion:  It  is  good  to  take  sides  with  those  who  take  sides  with  God 
and  have  God  with  them.  Let  us  therefore  testify  our  allegiance  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  and  make  ourselves  His  helpers  without  reservation. 

Key  Word:      Helpers,  vv.  1,  21, 

Strong  Verses:      22,  38. 


Page  Eighty-Two  FIRST  CHRONICLES 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  38-39.  When  Christ  is  enthroned  in  a  soul,  there  is  bound 
to  be  great  joy,  and  a  great  feast  begins,  to  last  not  merely  for  a  few 
days  but  throughout  eternity. 

CHAPTER   THIRTEEN 

Contents:  David's  attempt  to  bring  the  ark  to  Jerusalem.  The  ark  left  at  the 
house  of  Obed-edom. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Uzzah,  Obed-edom,  Abinadab,  Ahio. 

Conclusion:  Beware  of  presumption,  rashness  and  irreverence  in  dealing  with 
holy  things  and  think  not  that  a  good  intention  will  always  justify  a  rash 
action.  We  must  not  trifle  in  our  approaches  to  God. 

Key  Word:      Ark.     v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  There  are  preachers  who  lay  hands  on  the  doctrines  of  God's 
Word,  thinking  to  save  Christianity  from  overthrow.  It  is  dangerous  to 
put  unsanctified  hands  on  the  person  of  Christ,  His  virgin  birth,  atone- 
ment, resurrection,  etc. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      The  prosperity  of  King  David.     Double  defeat  of  the  Philistines. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Hiram. 

Conclusion:      David's  frequent  inquiry  of  God  should  direct  us  in  all  our  ways 

to  acknowledge  Him  and  in  all  our  perplexities  to  fly  to  Him  that  we  might 

perceive  God  to  go  before  us. 
Key  Word:      Kingdom  exalted,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verse:      16. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  17.     God  has  highly  exalted  our  Redeemer,  David's  greater 

Son  and  given  Him  a  name  above  every  name. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Ark  brought  to  Jerusalem  in  the  appointed  way: 

Characters:  God,  David,  Zadok,  Abiathar,  Michael,  Uriel,  Asaiah,  Joel,  She- 
maiah,  Eliel. 

Conclusion:  It  is  not  enough  that  we  seek  God  in  a  due  ordinance,  but  we 
must  seek  Him  in  due  order.  When  those  who  have  suffered  for  their 
irregularity  learn  from  God's  Word  to  be  obedient  in  all  details,  the  cor- 
rection is  well  bestowed. 

Key  AVord:      Ark  brought,  vv.  15,  25. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  28. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  26.  Those  who  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord  have  great 
need  of  divine  help  in  their  ministrations,  that  Christ  may  be  glorified  in 
them  and  the  churches  edified  through  them. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:  David's  festival  and  psalm  of  thanksgiving.  The  ark  established 
in  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Zadok,  Asaph,  Obed-edom,  Heman,  Jeduthun. 

Conclusion:  Though  God's  Word  may  be  clouded  and  eclipsed  for  a  time,  it 
will  at  length  shine  out  of  obscurity,  wherefore  let  us  encourage  ourselves 
to  triumph  and  trust  in  God  and  glorify  Him  continually  by  our  praises. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  15,  31,  34. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Ceremonial  worship  was  a  divine  institution  contain- 
ing the  types  of  the  mediation  of  Christ  and  could  not  therefore  be  omit- 
ted. So  the  church  should  keep  up  the  appointed  ordinances  in  which 
Christ  is  remembered,  until  He  comes. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:  David's  desire  to  build  the  temple.  The  Davidic  covenant  and 
David's  prayer. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Nathan. 

Conclusion:  Thrice  happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  Jehovah,  for  He  will  be 
to  them  a  God  all-sufficient  (v.  27).  Whom  He  blesses  are  truly  and  eter- 
nally blessed,  therefore  let  our  desires  and  hopes  be  for  things  eternal. 


FIRST  CHRONICLES  Page  Eighty-Three 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  23. 
Strong  Verses:      20,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  in  the  flesh,  the  Shepherd 
King.  At  His  first  coming  He  took  the  Shepherd's  place.  At  His  return 
He  will  take  the  place  of  ruler  over  Israel. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      David's  kingdom  fully  established. 

Characters:  God,  David,  Hadarezer,  Tou,  Hadoram,  Abishai,  Joab,  Jehosha- 
phat,  Benaiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  take  God  along  with  them  whithersoever  they  go  may 
expect  to  prosper  and  be  preserved  whithersoever  they  go. 

Key  Word:      Judgment  and  justice,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses :      6,13. 

Striking  Facts:  All  opposing  rule  will  eventually  be  put  down  by  the  Son  of 
David  and  the  most  inveterate  enemies  shall  fall  before  Him,  acknowledg- 
ing that  He  is  Lord  to  the  glory  of  the  Father. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Ammonite-Syrian  war. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Joab,  Abishai,  Hanun,  Shophach,  Hadarezer. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  design  ill  themselves  are  apt  to  be  jealous  and  to  sus- 
pect ill  of  others  without  cause,  but  the  hearts  of  such  are  marked  for 
ruin.  Right  will  prevail  at  last. 

Key  Word:      Misjudged,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  19.  Let  those  who  in  vain  have  stood  out  against  Christ 
be  wise  for  themselves  and  agree  with  Him  quickly  while  they  are  in  the 
way. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Joab  and  David  take  Rabbah.     War  with  Philistines. 

Characters:      David,  Joab,  Sibbechai,  Sippai,  Jonathan,  Elhanan. 

Conclusion:  The  power  and  pride  of  great  men  against  us  need  not  terrify 
us  if  we  have  the  power  and  peace  of  God  with  us.  God  takes  pleasure  in 
abasing  lofty  looks  and  mortifying  the  giants  who  array  themselves  against 
Christianity. 

Key  Word:      War,  v.  4. 


: 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

ntents:  David's  sin  in  numbering  the  people.  Joab's  faithful  protest. 
David's  choice  of  punishment. 

Characters:      God,  Satan,  David,  Joab,  Gad,  Oman,  angel   (Jesus). 

Conclusion:  God  does  not  judge  of  sin  as  we  do.  What  appears  to  man  to  be 
but  a  small  offense  may  be  a  great  sin  in  the  eyes  of  God  who  knows  men's 
principles,  being  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart.  His 
judgments  are  according  to  the  truth. 

Key  Word:      Sin,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  18.  If  we  have  sinned,  the  safest  thing  to  do  is  to  flee 
to  Christ,  who  is  an  altar  and  sacrifice,  for  through  Him  alone  there  is 
hope  of  winning  back  the  joy  of  salvation  and  getting  favor  with  God. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Material   prepared    for    the    temple.     David    instructs    Solomon    in 

God's  promises.      Princes  charged  to  assist  Solomon. 
Characters:      God,    David,    Solomon. 
Conclusion:      Nothing  is  more  powerful  to  engage  us  in  any  service  for  God 

than   to   know   that   hereunto   we   were   appointed   by   God.      Where   God 

gives  rest  He  expects  work   (v.  9-10)   let  us  therefore  be  invigorated  for 

Christian  service. 
Key  Word:      Temple,  v.   10. 
Strong  Verses:      13,  19. 


Page  Eighty-Four  FIRST  CHRONICLES 

Striking  Facts:  Everything  about  the  temple  was  to  be  stately  and  magnifi- 
cent, being  a  type  of  Christ  in  whom  all  fullness  dwells  and  in  whom 
are  hid  all  treasures. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Number  and  distribution  of  the  Levites. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  place  in  the  service  of  God  for  every  Christian  and 
God  would  have  each  at  his  own  post,  for  of  all  men  an  idle  Christian 
makes  the  worst  figure.  No  place  in  God's  service  is  commonplace  unless 
it  be  made  so  by  an  unworthy  spirit. 

Key  Word:      Service,  v.   4. 

Strong  Verse:      25. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      The  divisions  of  the  priests  and  Levites  for  the  temple  service. 

Characters:      God,   David,   Zadok,   Ahimelech,    Eleazer,   Ithamar. 

Conclusion:      God    was,    and    is    still,    the    God    of    order,    particularly    in    the 

things  of  His  worship.      Every  Christian  should  therefore  pray  to   know 

his  place  in  the  work  of  God  and  should  keep  to  it. 
Key  Word:      Service,  vv.  3,  19. 
Striking  Facts:      In   the   mystical   body   of   Christ   every   member    has   its    use 

for  the  good  of  the  whole.      Rom.   12:4-5;    1  Cor.   12:12. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      The  offices  of  the  temple  singers. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Asaph,  Jeduthun,  Heman. 

Conclusion:      The   glory  and   honor   of   God   should   be   extolled   in   the   music 

of  the  church  whether  vocal   or  instrumental,   making   melody   from   the 

heart  as  to   the   Lord.      (Eph.    5:19.) 
Key  Word:      Sacred  song,  v.  6. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:  The  division  of  the  temple  porters.  Levites  as  treasurers.  Of- 
ficers and  judges 

Characters:      God,    Shelemiah,    Zechariah,    Shuppin,    Hozah,    Obed-edom. 

Conclusion:  Whatever  service  God  wishes  men  for,  He  either  finds  them 
fit  or  makes  them  so.  All  service  for  God  is  honorable,  and  happy  will 
be  that  man  who  is  faithful  to  his  appointed  part. 

Key  Word:      Ministry,   v.    12. 

Striking  Facts:  The  temple  treasuries  illustrate  the  plenty  there  is  in  our 
Father's  house,  enough  and  to  spare.  In  Christ,  the  true  Temple,  are 
hid  all  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge  and  riches  to  supply  all  the 
believer's  needs. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The    captains    for    each    month.      Princes     of     the     twelve     tribes. 

David's  several  officers. 
Characters:      God,  David,  Joab,  Jonathan,  Jeluel,  Ahitophel,  Hushai,  Jehoiada, 

Abiathar. 
Conclusion:      It  is  the  wisdom  of  rulers  in  providing  for  public  safety  to  seek 

to  make  it  effectual  and  yet  easy  and  as  little  as  possible  burdensome  to 

the  people. 

Key  Word:      Officers,  v.  1. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  24.      A  good  man  cannot,  if  he  stops  to  reflect,  be  pleased 

with   that   which    he   knows    displeases    Christ   nor    take    comfort   in    that 

which  is  obtained  through  unbelief  in  God's  promises. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      David   counsels   Israel   and   Solomon   concerning   the   temple. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Holy  Spirit  (v.  12),  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      As   the   time   apparently   draws   nigh   for   God's   servants   to   die, 


FIRST  CHRONICLES  Page  Eighty-Five 

they  should  put  forth  every  effort  to  counsel  and  encourage  their  succes- 
sors, calling  attention  to  the  patterns  God  has  given  in  His  Word. 

Key  Word:      Counsel,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      8,    9,    20. 

Striking  Facts:  The  Gospel  temple  of  Christ,  being  builded  of  living  stones, 
is  all  being  framed  according  to  the  divine  counsels,  ordained  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world  for  God's  glory.  In  bringing  it  to  completion 
we  should  cling  to  the  plans  given  in  the  New  Testament. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:  David  exhorts  the  people.  The  princes  and  people  willingly  offer, 
David's  thanksgiving  and  prayer.  Solomon  made  king.  David's  death. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Solomon,  Zadok. 

Conclusion:  Those  whose  affections  are  set  upon  the  service  of  God  will 
think  no  pains  nor  cost  too  much  to  bestow  upon  it  and  God  loveth  a 
cheerful  giver. 

Key  Word:      Willing   offerings,   v.    6. 

Strong  Verses:      9,   11,   12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  Solomon's  glorious  and  peaceful  kingdom  is  a  type 
of  the  coming  kingdom  of  the  Messiah  on  earth.  His  will  be  indeed  "the 
throne  of  the  Lord"  (v.  23)  for  the  Father  will  commit  all  judgment  to 
Him. 


Page  Eighty-Six  BOOK  OF  SECOND  CHRONICLES 

II.    CHRONICLES 


Key  Thought:              Number 

Temple 

of  Chapters: 

36 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

15:2                 God's  true  King. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Uncertain 
(Ezra) 

Date: 

About  530  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Seeking      and      serving 
the  Lord  is  the  secret 
of  a  vital  religion  and 
a  life  of  victory. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Solomon's  sacrifices  at  Gibeon.      His  vision  and  prayer  and  God's 

answer. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  make  this  world  their  end   come  short  of  the  other 

and  are  never  satisfied  with  this.      Those  who  make  the  other  world  their 

end  and  seek  spiritual  gifts,  not  only  obtain  these  with  full  satisfaction, 

but  enjoy  much  of  this  world  on  their  way  there. 
Key  Word:      Prayer,  v.    7. 
Strong  Verses:      11,    12. 
Striking   Facts:      The    Christian's    real    character    appears    in    his    choices    and 

desires.      "What   wouldst   thou   have?"    tries   a   man   as   much   as    "What 

wouldst  thou  DO?"     v.   7. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Preparation  to   build  the  temple. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre. 

Conclusion:       (vv.  4-6)   It  becomes  us  to  go  about  every  work  for  God  with  a 

due  sense  of  our  utter  insufficiency  for  it  and  our  incapacity  in  ourselves 

to  do  anything  adequate  to  the  divine  perfections. 
Key  Word:      Temple,  v.   4. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 
Striking  Facts:      The  artificer  was  a  Gentile,  a  good  omen  of  uniting  Jew  and 

Gentile  in  the  Gospel  temple,  which  is  Christ,  v.   14. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Temple  begun.      The  materials  and  dimensions. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  God's  Word  prescribes  all  the  details  of  how  His  work  is  to 
be  carried  on.  Nothing  can  be  added  to  or  subtracted  from  God's  per- 
fect plans. 

Key  Word:      Temple,  v.  1. 

Striking  Facts:  The  temple  was  built  at  Jerusalem  (v.  1).  As  it  typified  Christ 
it  was  fitly  built  there;  since  it  was  there  He  raised  up  the  temple  of  His 
body. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Further   details  about  the  temple. 

Characters:      God,  Hiram  the  artificer. 

Conclusion:      Everything  in  the  temple   directed   the  worshipper  to  the   great 

propitiation.      So   should   we  in   all   our   devotions   keep   the   eye   of   faith 

upon  Jesus  Christ  who  was  the  fulfillment  of  all. 
Key   Word:      Temple. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      The  ark  brought  in.     The  glory  fills  the  house. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      When  God's  work  is  carried  out  according  to  His  revealed  will 

and  done  in  the  spirit  of  unity  with  praise,  He  is  certain  to  own  it  and  to 

give  a  special  manifestation  of  His  presence. 


ECOND  CHRONICLES  Page  Eighty-Seven 

Key  Word:      Glory,  v.   14. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:      The  ark  was  a  type  of  Christ,  and  as  such   a  token  of  the 

presence  of  God.     The  temple  would  be  a  desolate  place  indeed  if  Christ 

was  not  in  it  to  glorify  it. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Solomon's  sermon  and  prayer. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  set  God  before  them  and  walk  before  Him  with  all 
their  hearts,  will  find  Him  as  good  as  His  word  and  better.  He  will  both 
keep  covenant  with  them  and  show  mercy  to  them.  (v.  14.) 

Key  Word:      Dedication,  v.   12. 

Strong  Verses:       14,    41. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  We  may  with  confidence  pray  to  God  to  be  well 
pleased  with  us  because  we  are  in  Jesus  Christ  in  whom  God  is  well 
pleased.  He  says  not  now  of  any  house  "this  is  my  beloved  place,"  so 
there  is  but  one  safe  shelter — Christ. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Divine  acceptance.  Sacrifice  and  rejoicing.  God  appears  to  Solo- 
mon. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  The  surest  evidence  'of  God's  acceptance  of  our  prayers  is  the 
descent  of  His  holy  fire  upon  us.  The  heart  to  which  God  manifests  Him- 
self is  thereby  owned  as  a  living  temple. 

Key  Word:      Accepted,  vv.  1,  12. 

Strong  Verses:      1,    14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  Christ,  our  sacrifice,  was  made  sin  and  a  curse  for 
us  and  the  sacrifice  was  consumed  by  the  fire  of  God's  wrath  against  sin 
that  we  might  escape,  and  inherit  His  perfect  righteousness. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      The  energy  and  fame  of  Solomon. 

Characters:      God,  Pharaoh's  daughter,  Solomon,  King  of  Tyre. 

Conclusion:      When  our  hearts  are  truly  set  on  God's  work,  we  find  our  Father 

in  heaven  ready  to  indulge  us  in  many  innocent  desires  and  to  give   us 

success  in  our  undertakings. 
Key  Word:      Solomon's  work,  v.   16. 

CHAPTER   NINE 

Contents:      Solomon  and  the  queen  of  Sheba.      His  revenue  and  splendor. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon,   queen   of   Sheba. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  honor  God,  He  will  honor.  The  best  way  to  get  the 
credit  of  our  endowments  as  well  as  the  full  enjoyment  of  them  is  to  con- 
secrate them  to  God  and  use  them  for  Him. 

Key  Word:      Fame,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

Striking  Facts:  The  lustre  of  Solomon's  kingdom  was  typical  of  the  glory 
of  the  coming  kingdom  of  Christ  and  a  faint  representation  of  His  throne 
to  be  set  up  when  He  returns. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Accession  and  folly  of  Rehoboam.  Division  of  the  kingdom.  Ac- 
cession of  Jeroboam  over  Israel. 

Characters:      God,    Rehoboam,    Jeroboam,   Ahijah,    Hadoram. 

Conclusion:  Taking  counsel  of  men  who  know  not  God  is  sure  to  mean 
serious  blunders,  and  a  rough  answer  never  fails  to  bring  division.  Good 
words  cost  nothing  and  purchase  great  things. 

Key  Word:      Foolish  counsel,  v.   8. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Rehoboam    returns   to    Jerusalem.      Jeroboam    rejects    the    worship 

of  God. 
Characters:      God,    Rehoboam,    Jeroboam,    Ahijah,    Shamaiah. 


Page  Eighty-Eight  SECOND  CHRONICLES 

Conclusion:  It  is  dangerous  to  undertake  anything  contrary  to  the  will  of 
God,  and  he  is  wise  who,  when  he  finds  himself  going  contrary  to  God's 
plans,  lets  his  own  plans  drop. 

Key  Word:      Deterred,  v  4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  Christ's  representatives  should  never  allow  a  secu- 
lar advantage  to  keep  them  among  worshippers  of  the  devil  or  in  any  place 
where  they  are  in  danger  of  making  shipwreck  of  faith  and  conscience. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Rehoboam   defeated   by   Shishak.      Death   of    Rehoboam. 

Characters:      God,    Rehoboam,    Shishak,    Shemaiah. 

Conclusion:  It  becomes  us,  when  we  are  under  the  rebukes  of  providence,  to 
justify  God  (v.  6)  and  humble  ourselves  (v.  12),  thereby  we  may  be 
saved  from  total  ruin,  though  we  have  to  bear  a  part  of  God's  judgment. 

Key  Word:      Humbled,   v.    7. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      War  between  Abijah  and  Jeroboam.      Death  of  Jeroboam. 

Characters:      God,    Abijah,    Jeroboam. 

Conclusion:  Right  may  indeed  go  by  the  worst  for  a  time,  but  it  will  pre- 
vail at  last.  The  battle  is  ours,  if  God  be  for  us. 

KeyWord:      Reliance  (on  God),  v.  18. 

Strong  Verses:      10,    12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  18.  The  prayer  of  faith  is  the  prevailing  prayer  and  it 
is  by  faith  in  Christ's  mediation  that  we  overcome  the  world.  1  John  5:4. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Death    of    Abijah.      Accession    of   Asa.      Asa's '  victory    over    Zerah. 

Characters:      God,  Asa,  Zerah. 

Conclusion:      He  who  has  sought  God  in  the  day  of  peace  and  prosperity  can 

with  holy  boldness  cry  to  Him  in  the  day  of  testing  and  God  will  have 

delight  in  giving  him  a  great  victory. 
Key  Word:      Rest  (on  God)  v.  11. 
Strong   Verses:      11. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  7.     Those  have  rest  indeed  who  have  the  peace  of  Christ, 

for  He  gives  not  as  the  world  gives.      John  14:27. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Warnings  of  Azariah.      Reform  under  Asa. 

Characters:      God,   Holy  Spirit,   Azariah,   Asa,    Oded,    Maachah. 

Conclusion:  If  we  turn  aside  from  God  and  His  ordinances,  He  is  not  tied  to 
us,  but  will  certainly  cease  to  act  for  us,  when  we  will  discover  that  present 
triumphs  are  no  security  to  us.  If  we  keep  praying  we  will  keep  pre- 
vailing. 

Key  Word:      Reform  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   7,   15. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Attachment  to  Christ  means  detachment  from  idols. 
1  Thes.  1:9. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      War  between  Asa  and  Baasha.      Asa's  rebuke  and  death. 

Characters:      God,  Asa,  Hanani,  Baasha,  Ben-hadad. 

Conclusion:  God  is  much  displeased  when  He  is  distrusted  and  when  the  arm 
of  flesh  is  relied  on  more  than  His  power  and  goodness.  Since  we  have 
the  Rock  of  Ages  to  rely  upon,  let  us  not  lean  upon  broken  reeds. 

Key  Word:      Unbelief,  vv.  7,  12. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:      v.   12.      (Physicians)    Egyptian  healers  whose  methods  were 
demonical,    answering    to    spiritualism,    Christian    Science,    New    Thought, 
clairvoyancy,  etc.,  of  our  own  time.     The  help  of  physicians  is  good  if  we 
trust  not  to  the  physician  but  to  Christ  the  Great  Physician. 


i 


SECOND  CHRONTCLES  Page  Eighty-Nine 

CHAPTER   SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Accession   of   Jelioshaphat   and   his   growing   power. 

Characters:      God,   Jehoshaphat. 

Conclusion:  True  religion  and  obedience  to  God  are  the  best  friends  to  out- 
ward prosperity. 

Key  Word:      Obedience,  v.    4. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3  (ways  of  David)  Note  that  Jehoshaphat  followed  David 
as  far  as  David  followed  God.  Paul  exhorts  us  to  be  followers  of  him, 
but  only  as  far  as  he  followed  Christ.  1  Cor.  11:1. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Jehoshaphat's  alliance  with  Ahab.  Ahab's  lying  prophets.  Mi- 
caiah's  true  prophecy.  Defeat  and  death  of  Ahab. 

Characters:  God,  Jehoshaphat,  Ahab,  Micaiah,  Zedekiah,  king  of  Syria,  lying 
spirits. 

Conclusion:  Some  men's  kindnesses  are  dangerous  and  their  society  infec- 
tious. There  can  be  no  surety  of  being  in  familiar  converse  with  wicked 
people  and  yet  getting  no  hurt  by  them. 

Key  Word:      Ungodly  alliance,  v  1. 

Strong   Verses:      13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  21.  One  evil  spirit  can  make  use  of  400  prophets  to 
deceive  those  who  will  not  receive  the  love  of  the  truth.  Beware  of  the 

(false  prophets  who  speak  in  Satanic  energy. 
CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Jehu  rebukes  Jehoshaphat's  alliance  with  Ahab. 
Characters:      God,    Jehoshaphat,    Jehu,    Amariah,    Zebadiah. 
Conclusion:      Rebuke  a  wise  man  and  he  will  take  warning  (Prov.  9:8-9)   and 
if  he  truly  repents,  he  will  be  particularly  concerned  to  recover  those  who 
have  fallen  into  sin  or  been  hardened  in  it  by  his  example. 
Key  Word:      Returned,  v.   4. 
Strong  Verses:      7. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:  Jehoshaphat's  prayer  for  deliverance  and  its  answer.  Invading 
armies  stricken. 

Characters:      God,    Holy    Spirit,    Jehoshaphat,    Jahaziel,    Ahaziah. 

Conclusion:  Faith  takes  God's  bonds,  knowing  they  are  as  good  as  ready 
money  (v.  19).  If  the  battle  is  God's  and  we  are  on  God's  side,  we  may  be 
certain  of  shortly  being  made  more  than  conquerors  through  Him  that  loved 
us.  This  is  the  victory,  even  our  faith. 

Key  \Vord:      Believing,  v.   20. 

Strong   Verses:      9,    17 

Striking  Facts:  v.  26  The  valley  of  Berachah,  lit.  "blessing"  (modern  Bible 
class  name — Baraca)  was  perpetuated  for  the  encouragement  of  suc- 
ceeding generations  to  trust  in  God  and  to  remind  us  that  our  praises 
should  be  as  oft  repeated  as  our  prayers. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Jehoram's  wicked  reign  over  Judah  .and  its  accompanying  disasters. 

Characters:      God,   Jehoram,   Elijah,   Libnah. 

Conclusion:  Bad  men  bring  judgment  upon  themselves  and  all  about  them. 
Wickedness  makes  men  despicable  even  in  the  eyes  of  those  who  have 
little  religion,  and  the  name  of  the  wicked  shall  rot.  (v.  19.) 

Key  Word:      Evil,  v.   6. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 


Page  Ninety  SECOND  CHRONICLES 

Key  Word:      Evil,  v.    4. 

Striking  Facts:      Three  times  the  royal  seed  was  extinct  except  for  a  single 

babe     whom     God     preserved.     1.      Moses,     Heb.     11:23.      2.      Joash.      3. 

Jesus,  Matt.  2:12,  16. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:  Joash  becomes  king  of  Judah.  Execution  of  Athaliah.  Revival 
through  Jehoiada. 

Characters:      God,  Jehoiada,  Athaliah,  Joash. 

Conclusion:  Some  who  are  themselves  most  guilty  are  commonly  most  for- 
ward to  cry  "treason"  at  others.  Evil  doers  will  surely  be  cut  down 
like  the  grass  and  wither  as  the  green  herb,  then  shall  the  righteous  shine 
forth  as  the  noonday. 

Key  Word:      Execution,   v.    15. 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  21.  When  the  Lord  Jesus  is  enthroned  upon  the  heart 
and  the  usurper  of  the  life  put  down,  all  is  quiet  and  springs  of  joy  are 
opened. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Reign  of  Joash.  Temple  repaired.  Zechariah  stoned.  Judah  de- 
feated by  Syrians. 

Characters:  God,  Holy  Spirit,  Joash,  Jehoiada,  Zechariah,  Zabad,  Jehozabad, 
Amaziah. 

Conclusion:  It  is  easier  to  build  temples  than  to  be  a  temple  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Outward  religious  zeal  is  no  substitute  for  inward  spiritual  vision, 
(vv.  4,  24.) 

Key  Word:      Repaired   (temple),  v.  6;  judgment,  v.  24. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  24-26.  If  vengeance  pursues  men,  the  end  of  one  trouble 
will  be  but  the  beginning  of  another. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Reign   of  Amaziah   over   Judah.      War   between   Judah   and   Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Amaziah,  Joash,  man  of  God,  Obed-edom. 

Conclusion:  Trust  in  God  means  to  be  willing  to  venture  the  loss  of  anything 
for  Him,  knowing  that  He  can  more  than  make  up  any  damage  we  sustain 
in  obeying  His  commands.  A  firm  belief  in  God's  all-sufficiency  to  bear 
us  out  in  our  duty,  will  make  His  yoke  easy  and  His  burden  light. 

Key  Word:      Counsel  despised,  v.   16. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  Amaziah  is  an  illustration  of  many  today,  who  live 
moral  lives,  yet  not  enemies  to  Christ.  He  that  is  not  with  Christ  is 
counted  against  Him. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Accession  of  Uzziah.      His  successes  and   fame. 

Characters:      God,  Uzziah,  Zechariah,  Jotham,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  The  world's  smiles  are  the  devil's  darts  and  prosperity  ruin  as 
many  as  adversity.  It  is  dangerous  to  be  strong  except  in  the  Lord  and 
the  power  of  His  might. 

Key  Word:      Pride,  v.   16. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:  Humility  is  always  the  safest  plan  for  it  brings  Christ's  suc- 
cesses into  our  lives.  Psa.  105:4. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Reign  of  Jotham  in  Judah  and  his  death. 

Characters :      God,    Jotham. 

Conclusion:      The  more  steadfast  we  are  in  religion,  the  mightier  we  shall  be 

for  the  resistance  of  evil  and  the  performance  of  good. 
Key  Word:      Mighty,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 


SECOND  CHRONICLES  Page  Ninety-One 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Reign   of   Ahaz.      War   with   Rekah.      Intercession   of   Oded.      Edo- 

mite  and  Philistine  invasion. 

Characters:      God,    Ahaz,    Syrian    king,    Tiglath-pileser,    Zechri,    Pekah,    Oded. 
Conclusion:      If  men  will  not  be  humbled  by  God's  judgments,   God  will  find 

means  to  bring  them  low  and  will  make  them  as  despicable  as  they  have 

been   formidable. 

Key  Word:      Brought  low,  v.    19. 
Strong  Verses:      '".    8. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    16.      Estrangement  from   Christ   is   generally  followed   by 

seeking  protection  from  the  enemies  of  Christ,   v.    20,   but  no   enemy  of 

Christ  can  strengthen  the  people  of  God. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Hezekiah's  reign  in  Judah  and  the  revival.      Temple  restored. 

Characters:      God,  Hezekiah. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  begin  with  God  begin  at  the  right  end  of  their  work 

and  will  prosper  accordingly.      Let  us  do  our  part  to  revive  the  work  of 

God  and  ascribe  to  Him  all  the  glory  of  what  is  done. 
Key  Word:      Cleansed,  v.   15. 
Strong  Verses:      11,   27. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    22.      Even   repentance   and   reformation   will     not     obtain 

pardon  but  through  Christ  who  was  made  our  sin  offering  we  may  find 

peace.      With  our  offering,  our  praises  should  ascend,  because  Christ  has 

been  made  unto  us  righteousness. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:      Preparations    for    the    passover    and    its    observance. 

Characters:      God,  Hezekiah. 

Conclusion:  In  every  true  reformation,  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement  must 
be  emphasized.  God's  grace  will  meet  us  in  our  deepest  difficulties  if 
they  are  felt  and  confessed  and  if  we  approach  Him  by  the  blood-sprin- 
kled way. 

Key  Word:      Passover,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  Christ  our  passover  was  sacrificed  for  us.  1  Cor. 
5:1.  When  He  is  trusted  as  the  Lamb  of  God  who  beareth  away  sin,  God 
is  in  a  position  to  heal  us  and  to  give  us  the  joy  of  salvation. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Idols  destroyed  and  other  reforms  of  Hezekiah. 
Characters:      God,  Hezekiah,  Azariah,  Cononiah,   Kore. 

<nclusion:      Vital  communion  with  God  on  the  ground  of  the  shed  blood  will 
kindle  in  us  a  holy  zeal  and  an  indignation  against  sin  and  all  that  is  offen- 
sive to  God. 
y  Word:      Prospered,  v.  21. 
Strong   Verses:      10,    21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  If  one  has  tasted  the  sweetness  of  the  passover  Lamb, 
which  is  Christ,  he  will  never  grudge  the  expenses  of  carrying  on  His 
work,  but  will  freely  give  as  he  has  freely  received. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      Invasion  of  Sennacherib.     His  army  defeated  in  answer  to  prayer. 

Characters:      God,  Hezekiah,   Isaiah,  angel. 

Conclusion:      A  believing  confidence  in  God  will  raise  us  above  the  prevailing 

fear  of  man.      The  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ  can  always  say  "If  God  be 

for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?" 
.ey   Word:      Trust,   v.    8. 
Striking  Facts:      Satan  is   ever   determined   to   destroy  the  believer's   faith   in 

Christ's  all-sufficiency,  knowing  that  if  he  can  but  scare  him,  his  point  is 

won.      When   thus   tempted,    we   should    betake   ourselves   immediatelv   to 

Christ  who  will  instantly  give  the  victory. 


Page  Ninety-Two  SECOND  CHRONICLES 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Manassah's  accession  and  evil  ways.      Reign  and   death   of  Amon. 

Accession  of  Josiah. 

Characters:      God,   Manasseh,   Assyrian   king,   Amon,   Josiah. 
Conclusion:      In   prosperity   men    forget   God,   but   in   adversity   they   can    find 

no  other  refuge.      Blessed  be  the  affliction  that  brings  one  to  his  knees, 

for  the  divine  mercy  far  exceeds  the  divine  vengeance. 
Key  Word:      Sin,  v.  2;  repentance,  v.  12. 
Strong   Verses:      12,    13. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   16.      God  is  ever  ready  to  accept  and  welcome  returning 

sinners  who  entreat  Him  on  the  grounds  of  Christ's  atoning  sacrifice. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Reign  of  Josiah.     Book  of  the  law  found  and  read. 

Characters:  God,  Josiah,  Hilkiah,  Shaphan,  Huldah,  Maaseiah,  Joah,  Ahikam, 
Abdon,  Asaiah. 

Conclusion:  When  man  finds  the  Word,  the  Word  finds  man  and  reveals  to 
him  his  true  condition.  If  heartily  received,  it  will  lead  to  cleansing,  con- 
secration and  continuance  in  the  ways  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Reform,  v.   33. 

Strong  Verses:      27. 

Striking  Facts:  A  Bible  may  be  lost  through  disregard,  disobedience  or  dis- 
tortion. It  may  be  found  again  by  recognizing  it,  receiving  it  and  ran- 
sacking it. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      The  passover  kept.      Death  of  Josiah. 

Characters:      God,  Josiah,  Pharaoh-Necho,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Religion  cannot  flourish  if  the  passover  is  neglected.  Christ, 
our  passover,  is  sacrificed  for  us  and  it  is  well  for  us  'to  be  continually  put 
in  mind  of  His  atoning  death  through  the  ordinances  of  the  church. 

Key  Word:      Passover,  v.   1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  The  Lamb  roast  with  fire,  suggests  Christ  who  was 
subjected  to  the  fires  of  God's  wrath  against  sin.  He  cannot  be  feasted 
upon  except  in  view  of  the  substitutionary  character  of  His  atoning  death. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:  Reign  and  dethronement  of  Jehoahaz.  Final  deportation.  Captiv- 
ity of  Judah  in  Babylon. 

Characters:  God,  Jehoahaz,  Jehoiachin,  Jehoikim,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Zedekiah, 
Cyrus,  Eliakim,  Necho. 

Conclusion:  God  gives  sinners  both  time  and  inducement  to  repent  and  waits 
to  be  gracious  to  them,  but  if  they  will  profane  God's  institutions  by  their 
sins,  it  is  just  with  God  to  suffer  them  to  be  profaned  by  their  enemies. 

Key  Word:      Wrath,  v.   16. 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  16.  God's  methods  to  reclaim  sinners  by  His  Word,  by 
faithful  ministers,  by  providences,  by  conscience,  show  His  great  com- 
passion through  Christ  and  unwillingness  that  any  should  perish. 


,ZRA 


Page  Ninety-Three 


EZRA 


Thought: 

Restoration 


Number  of  Chapters: 

10 


Key  Verse: 

1:5 


Christ  seen  as: 

Lord  of  heaven 
and  earth 


Writer  of  the  Book : 

Ezra 


_ 


Date : 

About  536  B.C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God's  Word  should 
have  a  place  and  power 
in  the  religious,  social 
and  civil  life  of  His 
people. 


SUMMARY 


CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Decree  of  Cyrus  for  restoration  of  the  temple  and  preparations  for 
the  return  of  the  remnant. 

Characters:      God,  Cyrus,  Sheshbazzar,  Mithredath. 

Conclusion:  (v.  1)  The  hearts  of  kings  are  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord  and  like 
the  rivulets  of  water,  He  turns  them  whatever  way  He  wills.  Therefore 
whatever  good  offices  are  done  for  the  church,  God  must  have  the  glory. 

Key  Word:      Temple,  v.  2. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      The   returning   remnant. 

Characters:      God,  Zerubbabel. 

Conclusion:  Sin  debases  and  diminishes  a  nation  but  God  always  has  a  faith- 
ful remnant  who  love  the  ceremonies  of  His  house  and  give  liberally  and 
cheerfully  for  its  upkeep. 

Key  Word:      Remnant's  return,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      68,   69. 

Striking  Facts:  Persons  from  all  tribes  returned  under  Zerrubabel,  but  in 
the  broad  sense,  the  dispersion  of  Israel  still  continues  and  the  tribes 
cannot  be  identified.  Only  God  knows  who  they  are.  At  the  revelation 
of  Jesus  Christ  they  will  be  made  known. 


CHAPTER  THREE 


Contents:      Altar  set  up  and  temple  foundations  relaid.      Worship  established. 

Characters:      God,  Zerubbabel,  Jeshua. 

Conclusion:  To  see  any  branch  of  God's  work  reestablished  after  long  desola- 
tions cannot  but  open  fountains  of  joy  and  praise  in  those  who  love  God. 
We  should  be  thankful  for  even  the  beginnings  of  mercy  though  we  have 
not  yet  seen  the  perfection  of  it. 

Key  Word:      Established,  v  11. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  If  we  have  enemies,  the  safest  course  is  to  keep  on 
intimate  terms  with  God  through  His  Son  Jesus  Christ  who  is  typified  in 
the  daily  Lamb  and  whose  righteousness  must  be  our  confidence  in  all 

»our  supplications. 
CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Work  hindered  by  adversaries. 

Characters:      Zerubbabel,  Ahasuerus,  Jeshua,  Artazerxes,  Rehum,  Shimshai. 

Conclusion:  God's  work  cannot  be  advanced  but  Satan  will  rage  and  the  gates 
of  hell  will  fight  against  it.  Wonder  not  at  the  church's  enemies  but 
keep  an  eye  single  to  God  who  will  ultimately  give  the  victory. 

Key  Word:      Hindered,   v.    4. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  A  secret  enemy  to  Christ  and  His  Gospel  is  often 
guilded  over  with  a  pretended  affection  to  Caesar  and  his  power.  The 
worst  enemy  is  one  who  claims  to  be  a  Christian  but  is  not. 


Page  Ninety-Four  EZRA 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Encouragement  of  the  prophets  and  the  work  resumed. 
Characters:      Zerubbabel,  Haggai,  Zechariah,  Jeshua,  Tattenai,  Darius,  Shethar- 

bozenai. 
Conclusion:      It  is  a  sign  that  God  has  mercy  in  store  for  a  people  when  He 

raises  up  men  of  God  among  them  to  encourage  and  help  them  in  His  work. 

When  we  cannot  do  what  we  would  in  His  service,  we  should  take  courage 

and  do  all  we  can. 
Key  Word:      Work  resumed,  v.   2. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    2.      It   is   the   business   of   Christian   ministers   to   stir    up 

God's  people  to  that  which  is  good,  especially  to  the  work  of  completing 

the  temple  of  Christ  which  is  being  erected  out  of  "living  stones." 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Darius  confirms  the  decree  of  Cyrus.  Temple  furnished  and  wor- 
ship restored. 

Characters:      God,  Darius,  Haggai,  Zechariah,  Tattenai,  Shethar-bozenai,  Cyrus. 

Conclusion:  When  God's  time  has  come  for  the  accomplishment  of  His  grac- 
ious purposes  concerning  His  church,  He  will  raise  up  instruments  to  pro- 
mote it  and  from  men  of  whom  good  service  was  not  expected.  The  wrath 
of  the  enemy  may  be  made  to  praise  God. 

Key  Word:      Finished,  v.    14. 

Strong  Verses:      10,    21,    22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Let  men  in  authority  despise  not  the  prayers  of  the 
meanest  saints  who  know  how  to  approach  God  on  the  ground  of  Christ's 
sacrifice.  Let  God's  people  pray  for  those  in  authority. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Ezra's  expedition  to  Jerusalem  and  his  thanksgiving. 

Characters:      God,  Ezra,  Artaxerxes. 

Conclusion:  God  is  able  to  do  for  us  exceedingly  abundantly  above  all  that 
we  ask  or  think.  When  magistrates  are  moved  to  encourage  the  work  of 
the  church,  we  should  thank  God  who  put  it  into  their  hearts  to  do  so. 

Key  Word:      Decree,   v.    13. 

Strong  Verses:      10,    23. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  List  of  Ezra's  companions  and  his  visit  to  Jerusalem.  Treasure 
placed  in  the  temple. 

Characters:  God,  Ezra,  Sherebeah,  Hashabiah,  Meremoth,  Eleazar,  Jozabad, 
Noadiah. 

Conclusion:  God's  servants  have  His  power  engaged  for  them.  Those  who 
trust  in  God  will  be  ashamed  of  seeking  much  to  the  creature  for  protec- 
tion. In  carrying  out  God's  commissions,  we  are  safe  under  the  shadow 
of  His  wings.  (v.  22.) 

Key  Word:      Furthered,  v.  36. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  23.  Even  the  common  dangers  of  our  everyday  jour- 
neys are  such  as  to  oblige  us  to  sanctify  our  going  out  with  prayer  and  our 
return  in  peace  with  thanksgiving  through  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  The  remnant  loses  its  separated  position.  Ezra's  prayer  and  con- 
fession. 

Characters:      God,  Ezra. 

Conclusion:  Let  this  be  the  comfort  of  true  penitents,  that  though  their  sins 
have  piled  up  to  heaven,  God's  mercy  is  in  tlv.3  heavens  and  if  we  confess 
our  sins,  trusting  to  the  sacrificed  One,  God  is  faithful  and  just  to  for- 
give, and  to  cleanse  from  all  unrighteousness. 

Key   Word:      Confession,   v.    6. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   13,   14. 

Striking  Facts:      v.    5.      The   evening   sacrifice   was   a   type   of   the   propitiation 


EZRA  Page  Ninety-Five 

of  the  Lamb  of  God,  who,  in  the  evening  oc  the  world,  took  away  sin  by 
the  sacrifice  of  Himself.  With  the  eye  of  faith  fixed  upon  that  sacrifice 
we  may  confess  our  sins  and  hope  for  full  cleansing. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Separation  restored.      Strange  wives  surrendered. 

Characters:      God,  Ezra,  Shecaniah,  Jonanan. 

Conclusion:      There  is   hope   concerning   people   when   they  are   convinced   not 

only  that  it  is  good  to  part  with  their  sins,  but  indispensably  necessary 

lest  they  be  undone. 
Key  Word:      Separated,  v.  11. 
Strong   Verses:      1,    11. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  19.      The  only  way  of  obtaining  pardon  for  sin  is  to  seek 

it  on  the  ground  of  Christ's  sacrifice,  who  was  our  trespass  offering,  so 

owning  our  guilt  and  His  blood  as  that  which  washes  away  the  stain  and 

guilt  of  sin. 


Page  Ninety-Six  BOOK  OF  NEHEMIAH 

NEHEMIAH 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Political  13  2:5  Lord   of   heaven 

and  earth. 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Prayer,  pains  and  per- 

Nehemiah  About  445  to  448  B.C.  severance  are  the  con- 

ditions    of     successful 
work  for  God. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Nehemiah  learns  of   distress  in  Jerusalem.     His   prayer. 

Characters:      God,  Nehemiah,  Hanani. 

Conclusion:  The  desolation  and  distresses  of  the  church  should  deeply  con- 
cern the  Christian  and  move  him  to  earnest  prayer,  for  there  is  no  other 
method  for  bringing  relief  to  God's  people,  or  directions  for  ourselves  as 
to  the  way  in  which  we  should  render  help. 

Key  Word:      Fasting  and  prayer,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Our  best  pleas  in  prayer  are  those  taken  from  the 
Word  of  God  on  which  He  has  caused  us  to  hope  through  Jesus  Christ.  If 
God  were  not  more  mindful  of  His  promises  than  we  are  of  His  precepts, 
we  would  be  undone. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  '   Nehemiah's  visit  to  Jerusalem  by  permission  of  Artaxerxes. 

Characters:      God,  Artaxerxes,  Nehemiah,  Sanballat,  Tobiah,  Asaph,  Geshem. 

Conclusion:  The  Christian  should  be  concerned  in  the  sorrows  and  desolations 
of  others,  having  a  deep  concern  for  God's  honor.  When  prayer  is  sin- 
cerely offered,  it  is  sure  to  be  seconded  with  serious  endeavors  to  ren- 
der aid. 

Key  Word:      Arise,  build,  v.  20. 

Strong  Verses:      18,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  We  are  not  limited  to  certain  moments  in  our  addresses 
to  the  King  of  Kings  but  have  access  to  the  throne  of  Grace  in  every 
time  of  need,  being  emboldened  by  His  invitation,  who  has,  by  His  blood, 
made  possible  our  approach  into  God's  holy  presence. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Wall  of  Jerusalem  built. 

Characters:      God,  Artaxerxes,  Nehemiah,   Sanballat,   Tobiah. 

Conclusion:      What  is  to  be  done  for  the  public  good,  everyone  should  have  a 

part  in  and  further  to  the  utmost  of  his  place  and  power.      It  is  good  to 

be  zealously  affected  in  a  good  cause. 
Key  Word:      Repaired,  v.  4. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    10.      If  everyone  would   sweep   before  his   own   door,   the 

street  would  be  clean.     Do  your  part. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Opposition    by    ridicule,    anger    and    discouragement. 

Characters:      God,  Nehemiah,  Sanballat,  Tobiah. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  are  often  a  despised  people,  loaded  with  contempt, 
but  the  reproaches  of  enemies  should  rather  quicken  them  to  duty  than 
drive  them  from  it.  Those  who  cast  contempt  on  God's  people,  in  reality 
despise  God  Himself  and  prepare  for  themselves  everlasting  shame. 

Key  Word:      Opposition,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  9,  20. 


NEHEMIAH  Page  Ninety-Seven 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Having  prayed,  they  set  a  watch.  We  cannot  secure 
ourselves  by  prayer,  without  watchfulness.  Matt.  26:41.  Prayer  without 
watchfulness  is  presumption.  Watchfulness  without  prayer  is  hyprocrisy. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Opposition  by  greed  and  heartlessness.  Nehemiah's  example  of 
unselfishness. 

Characters:      God,   Nehemiah. 

Conclusion:  Nothing  exposes  Christianity  more  to  the  reproaches  of  its  ene- 
mies than  the  worldliness  and  hard-heartedness  of  its  professors.  Fol- 
lowers of  Christ  should  be  careful,  lest  by  these  means,  they  bring  a  re- 
proach upon  their  religion. 

Key  Word:      Usury,  v.   7. 

Strong  Verses:      19. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  Let  us  remember  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how 
He  said,  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  Acts.  20:35. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Opposition  by  craft.  Nehemiah's  manly  firmness.  The  wall  done. 
Characters:  God,  Nehemiah,  Sanballat,  Tobiah,  Geshem,  Gashum,  Shemaiah. 
Conclusion:  Christian  fortitude  will  always  be  sharpened  by  opposition. 

Every  temptation  to  draw  us  from  duty  and  into  a  snare,  should  drive  us 

to  God  and  so  quicken  us  the  more  to  duty. 
Key  Word:      Craftiness,  v.   8. 
Strong  Verses:      3,   11. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  3.      Let  those  who  are  tempted  to  waste  time  from  Christ's 

service  by  attending  idle  affairs  with  vain  companions,  make  use  of  this 

answer — "We  have  work  to  do  and  cannot  come  down." 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Jerusalem  put  in  charge  of  Hanani  and  Hananiah.     Genealogy  of 

the  first  remnant. 

Characters:      God,    Nehemiah,    Hanani,    Hananiah. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  fear  God  will  evidence  it  by  being  faithful  to  all  men 

and   universally   conscientious. 
Key  Word:      Register,  v.   5. 
Strong  Verses:      2. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      The  law  read  and  explained.     Feast  of  tabernacles  restored. 

Characters:      God,  Ezra,  Nehemiah. 

Conclusion:  Reading  the  Scripture  in  religious  assemblies  is  an  ordinance  of 
God  whereby  He  is  honored  and  the  church  edified.  It  should  be  delivered 
distinctly,  for  it  is  a  requisite  that  those  who  hear  the  Word  should 
understand  it,  else  it  is  to  them  as  an  empty  sound  of  words. 

Key  Word:      Bible,  v.   8. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  The  feast  of  tabernacles  was  a  memorial  of  their 
dwelling  in  tents  in  the  wilderness,  a  representation  of  our  tabernacle 
state  in  this  world  as  followers  of  Christ,  and  a  type  of  the  Gospel  church. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      The  people  feast  and  repent.      Confession  of  the  priests  and  Levites. 

Characters:  God,  Jeshua,  Bani,  Kadmiel,  Sherebiah,  Shebmah,  Bunni,  Chen- 
ani,  Hash-habaliah,  Hodijah,  Pethahiah. 

Conclusion:  When  we  are  seeking  to  God  for  mercy  and  relief  in  time  of 
distress,  it  is  an  encouragement  to  faith  to  look  back  upon  our  own  and 
our  fathers'  experiences,  noticing  how  all  glory  belongs  to  God  and  all 
shame  to  ourselves.  When  confessing  our  sins,  it  is  good  to  reckon  up 
God's  many  mercies  that  we  may  see  how  ungrateful  we  have  been. 

Key  Word:      Confessed,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  33.  It  becomes  the  Christian  when  he  is  under  the 
rebukes  of  God's  providence,  no  matter  how  sharp  and  long  they  be,  to 
justify  God,  being  assured  there  is  no  mistake  on  God's  part. 


Page  Ninety-Eight  NEHEMIAH 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The   covenant   and    the   signers. 

Characters:      God,   Nehemiah. 

Conclusion:      Conversion  means  a  separating  of  ourselves  from  the  course  and 

custom  of  this  world  and  devoting  ourselves  to  the  conduct  of  the  Word 

of  God. 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  v.  29. 
Strong   Verses:      29. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      The  dwellers  at  Jerusalem  and  the  cities. 

Characters:      Joel,    Judah,    Zabdrel,    Shabbethai,     Jozabad,    Mathaniah,    Uzzi, 

Pethahiah. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  take  care  of  the  outward  concerns  of  the  church,  the 

common  service  in  connection  with  it,  are  as  necessary  in  their  place  as 

those  who  take  care  of  the  inward   concerns,   giving  themselves  entirely 

to  the  ministry  of  the  Word  and  prayer. 
Key  Word:      Dwellers,  v.  1. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:  Priests  and  Levites  who  went  to  Jerusalem  with  Zerubbabel.  Dedi- 
cation of  the  walls. 

Characters:      God,  Nehemiah,   Ezra,  Zerubbabel,  Jeshua,   Seraiah,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Great  mercies  call  for  the  most  solemn  returns  of  praise  in  the 
courts  of  the  Lord's  house. 

Key  Words:      Dedication,   v.    27. 

Strong  Verses:      43. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  30.  The  purifying  was  a  type  of  the  blood  of  Christ 
(Num.  19:9)  by  which  our  consciences  are  purged  from  dead  works, 
making  us  fit  to  serve  the  living  God.  (Heb.  9:14.) 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:  Cleansing  the  temple.  Nehemiah's  second  visit  to  Jerusalem  and 
his  further  reforms. 

Characters:      God,  Nehemiah,  Eliashib,  Tobiah. 

Conclusion:  Nothing  grieves  a  godly  man  more  than  to  see  the  ministers  of 
God's  house  practicing  things  contrary  to  God's  Word.  There  is  sure  to 
be  a  general  decay  of  religion  and  corruption  of  manners  when  the  people 
forsake  the  sanctuary  and  profane  the  Sabbath. 

Key  Word:      Cleansed,  v.   30. 

Striking  Pacts:  v.  8.  Those  who  would  expel  sin  out  of  their  hearts,  the 
living  temples,  must  throw  out  its  household  stuff  and  all  the  provision 
made  for  it,  taking  away  those  things  which  are  fuel  for  lust.  Let  the 
blood  of  Christ  be  then  applied  by  faith,  that  it  be  furnished  anew  with 
the  grace  of  God's  Spirit. 


BOOK  OF  ESTHER  Page  Ninety-Nine 

ESTHER 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Providence  10  4:14  Our   Mordecai 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The  great  God  takes  a 
real  interest  in  all  our 

Uncertain  (Mordecai)  464-434  B.  C.  affairs  and  shapes  His 

providences  to  work 
out  His  glory  through 
them. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Ahasuerus'  great  feast  and  the  story  of  Vashti. 

Characters:  Ahasuerus,  Vashti,  Memucan,  Carshena,  Shethar,  Admatha, 
Tarshish,  Meres,  Marsena. 

Conclusion:  Better  is  a  dinner  of  herbs  with  quietness  than  the  banquet  of 
wine  with  its  tumult  and  the  sin  sure  to  result  from  it.  When  wine  is 
in,  wit  is  out. 

Key   Word:      Feast,    v.    9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  Whether  or  not  it  was  the  part  of  wisdom  for 
Vashti  to  deny  obedience  to  the  king,  or  that  the  king  was  ruled  by  pas- 
sion, the  incident  served  God's  providence  making  way  for  Esther  to  the 
crown. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Esther   made   queen. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Mordecai,  Esther,  Hegai,  Bigthan,  Teresh,  Shaashgaz. 

Conclusion:      God  sometimes  raises  up  the  poor  out  of  the  dust  to  set  them 

among  princes.      Those  who  make  sure  of  God's  favour  usually  find  favor 

with  man,  at  least  so  far  as  it  is  good  for  them. 
Key  Word:      Chosen,   v.    17. 
Striking    Facts:      v.    3.      To    what    absurd    practices    do    those    come    who    are 

destitute  of  the  Word  of  God  and   given   up  to   their  vile  affections.      It 

is  the  Gospel  of  Christ  alone  that  can  purify  men  from  such  lusts  of  the 

flesh. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Conspiracy  of  Haman.      The  king's  decree  to  destroy  the  Jews. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Haman,  Mordecai. 

Conclusion:  Though  religion  in  no  way  stands  in  the  way  of  good  manners, 
but  teaches  us  to  render  honor  to  whom  honor  is  due,  yet  it  is  the  char- 
acter of  a  Christian  not  to  hypocritically  express  respect  for  one  known 
to  be  a  vile  person,  merely  because  he  occupies  a  place  of  authority.  How- 
ever threatened,  it  behooves  the  Christian  to  be  true  to  conscience,  if  he 
is  sure  his  conscience  is  enlightened  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Key  Word:      Decree,  v.  14. 

Strong   Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  The  enemies  of  the  followers  of  Christ  could  not  give 
them  such  bad  treatment  as  they  do  if  they  did  not  first  give  them  a  bad 
name  by  malicious  representations. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Fasting  among  the  Jews.      Esther's  resolution  to  defeat  the  decree. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Mordecai,  Haman,  Hatach. 

Conclusion:      We  should  consider  for  what  end  God  has  put  us  in  the  place 

where  we  are  and  should  study  to  answer  that  end  lest  our  opportunity 

slip. 

Key  Word:      Fasting  and  weeping,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      14,   16. 


Page  One  Hundred  ESTHER 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  We  should  be  thankful  that  nothing  need  bar  us 
from  the  court  of  our  King  in  time  of  need,  for  we  are  welcome  in  the 
very  holiest  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Esther's  courage  in  proceeding  to  obtain  favor. 
Characters:  Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Haman,  Mordecai,  Zeresh. 
Conclusion:  If  we  have  had  power  with  God  in  prayer  we  shall  find  favor 

with  men  in  the  time  of  need,  for  God  can  turn  the  hearts  of  men  which 

way  He  pleases. 
Key  Word:      Favor,  v.    2. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  9.     Those  who  walk  in  holy  sincerity  with  Christ  may  walk 

in  holy  security  and  go  on  in  their  work  not  fearing  what  man  can  do  to 

them. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Haman  compelled  to  exalt  Mordecai. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Haman,  Mordecai,  Zeresh. 

Conclusion:  God's  wisdom  and  grace  is  seen  in  the  way  He  times  the  means 
of  deliverance  for  His  people  so  as  to  manifest  His  own  glory.  As  for 
God,  His  way  is  perfect,  and  let  not  enemies  think  to  triumph  over  those 
who  are  in  covenant  with  Him. 

Key  Word:      Honored,  v.    11. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      Esther's  banquet  and  the  hanging  of  Haman. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Haman,  Harbonah. 

Conclusion:  Mischief  is  sure  to  return  upon  the  person  himself  who  con- 
trives it.  The  wicked  shall  be  snared  in  the  work  of  their  own  hands. 
Psa.  7:15-16. 

Key  Word:      Hanged,  v.   10. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  The  day  is  coming  when  those  who  have  persecuted 
and  hated  the  followers  of  Christ  would  gladly  be  beholden  to  them,  like 
the  rejected  virgins  (Matt.  25)  who  cry  "give  us  oil." 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      The  vengeance  order  of  Ahasuerus. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Mordecai. 

Conclusion:  Let  the  odds  be  against  God's  people,  they  have  but  to  include 
God  in  their  faith  and  He  will  open  ways  of  deliverance  and  draw  con- 
clusions. 

The  holy  joy  of  those  who  trust  in  God  is  a  great  ornament  to  their 
profession  and  will  encourage  others  to  trust  in  Him.      (v.   16.) 

Key  Word:      Decree,  v.  17. 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Those  who  are  true  followers  of  Christ  had  rather  die 
in  the  last  ditch  than  live  to  see  the  desolations  of  the  church  of  God. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  Vengeance  executed;  the  Jews  victorious.  Feast  of  Purim  insti- 
tuted. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Esther,  Mordecai. 

Conclusion:  When  we  have  received  signal  mercies  from  God,  we  should  be 
quick  to  return  our  thanks  to  Him  while  the  impressions  are  fresh.  If 
the  favor  has  extended  to  the  whole  people,  steps  should  be  taken  to  per- 
petuate the  remembrance  of  it  for  the  honor  of  God  and  the  encouragement 
of  others  to  trust  in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  v.   5. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 


ESTHER  £age  Qtne,  Hundred  One 

Striking  Facts:  v.  19.  Thanksgiving  and  almsgiving  go  together.  If  we 
have  received  mercy,  the  only  way  to  express  our  gratitude  is  to  show 
mercy. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Mordecai  made  prime  minister. 

Characters:      Ahasuerus,  Mordecai. 

Conclusion:      Men  of  virtue  and  true  piety  may  for  a  time  seem  to  be  kept  in 

obscurity,  but  often  by  the  hand  of  God  they  are  suddenly  discovered  to 

the  world  and  caused  to  be  preferred. 
Key  Word:      Advanced,  v.   2. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 
Striking  Facfes:      The  book  of  Esther  testifies  to  the  secret  watch-care  of  Jehovah 

over  His  dispersed  people,  Israel.     The  name  of  God  nowhere  occurs  in 

the  book,  but  in  no  other  book  of  the  Bible  is  His  providence  more  evident. 


Page  One  Hundred 


BOOK  OF  JOB 


JOB 


Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Testings  42  1:9  Risen  Redeemer 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Trial    is    the    school    of 

Uncertain  During  times  of  Abraham          trust— not  always  given 

(Moses,  Elihu  or  Job)  Oldest  Book  in  Bible  as       chastisement,       but 

sometimes   for   our  edu- 
cation. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Job's  family  and  their  piety.  Satan's  challenge  and  the  calamities 
that  befell  Job. 

Characters:      God,  Satan,  Job. 

Conclusion:  God  allows  Satan  power  over  His  saints  but  it  is  always  lim- 
ited by  the  will  of  God.  Nothing  shows  more  accurately  what  we  are  than 
the  way  in  which  we  stand  in  the  presence  of  trial  and  difficulty. 

Key  Word:      Tested,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  The  power  Satan  has  over  the  Christian  is  bounded 
by  the  prayer  of  the  Lord  Jesus  who  "ever  liveth  to  make  intercession." 
No  affliction  can  ever  fall  upon  the  believer  except  by  God's  permission 
and  when  it  comes,  God  has  some  great  purpose  in  it,  which  it  is  our  part 
to  ascertain. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Job  in  Satan's  seive.  Family,  property  and  health  gone.  His  three 
friends. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Satan,  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  Zophar. 

Conclusion:  One  of  the  greatest  evidences  of  God's  love  to  those  who  love 
Him  is  to  send  them  affliction,  with  grace  to  bear  it.  If  trial  makes  us 
complain  against  God,  then  the  devil  laughs  and  is  glad.  Trial  is  the  school 
of  trust.  (1  Pet.  1:7). 

Key  Word:      Afflicted,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  This  verse  gives  the  foundation  stone  of  so-called 
Christian  Science.  Body  healing  is  the  substitute  for  soul  healing.  Men 
will  embrace  anything  that  will  relieve  pain  and  distemper  of  body  and 
hence  Satan  uses  physical  ailments  to  try  and  draw  men  from  God. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Job  tells  his  misery  and  despair. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion:  "Pity  thyself"  is  the  devil's  most  popular  sermon  to  one  who 
will  listen  to  him,  for  he  delights  to  embitter  the  saint  by  causing  him  to 
misunderstand  God's  providences.  Remember  that  God's  worst  is  better 
than  the  devil's  best  and  if  our  circumstances  find  us  in  God,  we  shall  find 
God  in  all  our  circumstances. 

Key  Word:      Curse,  v.  1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  Though  many,  because  of  distrust,  have  cursed  the  day 
of  their  birth,  yet  no  one  ever  curses  the  day  of  their  "new  birth"  nor 
wishes  they  had  never  found  Christ  as  their  Saviour. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Eliphaz's  theory  in  regard  to  Job's  suffering. 

Characters:      God,  Eliphaz,  Job. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  pass  rash  and  uncharitable  censures  upon  their  breth- 


'JOB  Page  One  Hundred  Three 

ren,  do  Satan's  work.  We  should  be  careful  not  to  add  affliction  to  saints 
who  are  already  in  grief,  unless  we  are  certain  we  have  a  God-given  mes- 
sage to  deliver. 

Key  Word:      Retribution,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  14,  15.  There  are  certain  dogmatists  who  have  _to  be 
listened  to  because  they  have  had  some  ONE  remarkable  experience,  and 
everyone  else's  case  is  similar  to  their  own.  The  best  and  truest  comfort 
is  from  God's  Word.  Rom.  15:4. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Eliphaz's  discourse  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Eliphaz,  Job. 

Conclusion:  Even  Satan  may  be  God's  servant  to  make  better  saints  of  us, 
the  blow  at  the  outward  man  proving  the  greatest  blessing  to  the  inward 
man.  We  should  therefore  be  more  desirous  of  knowing  God's  purpose 
in  our  trouble  than  of  getting  out  of  it. 

Key  Word:      Chastisement,  v.  17. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   8,   17,   18. 

Striking  Facts:  Fellowship  in  Christ's  sufferings  is  the  qualification  for  shar- 
ing His  dignity. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Eliphaz.     His  appeal  for  pity. 

Characters:      God,  Eliphaz,  Job. 

Conclusion:      No  one  can  judge  another  justly  without  much  prayer  for  divine 

guidance.     Affliction  does  not  necessarily  prove  one  to  be  a  hypocrite  or  a 

wicked  man. 

Key  Word:      Pity,  vv.  14,  28. 
Strong  Verses:       14,  24. 
Striking  Facts:      See  1  Pet.  2:20-23. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Eliphaz  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Eliphaz. 

Conclusion:  We  believe  in  the  sun  even  when  it  is  hidden  behind  a  cloud, 
therefore  we  should  not  doubt  the  goodness  of  God  when  His  face  seems 
for  a  time  to  be  hidden  from  us.  The  Great  Physician  has  never  taken 
down  a  wrong  bottle. 

Key  Word:      Complaint,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  18. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  It  is  better  to  die  praising  Jesus  and  praying  than 
complaining  and  fretting.  The  only  time  our  Lord  ever  asked  "why"  was 
when  He  bore  the  world's  sin  and  the  Father's  face  was  turned  away. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      Bildad's  theory  of  Job's  affliction. 

Characters:      God,  Bildad,  Job. 

Conclusion:      It  is  not  just  or  charitable  to  argue  that  merely  because  one  is 

in   deep   affliction,    he   is   therefore   a   hypocrite.      Let   us    "judge   nothing 

before  the  time."     A  day  is  coming  when  the  secrets  of  God's  providence 

will  be  solved  to  universal  satisfaction. 
Key  Word:      Hypocrisy,  v.   13. 
Strong  Verses:      13,20,22. 
Striking  Facts:      Let  the  afflicted  one  include  the  Lord  Jesus  in  his  faith  and 

he  will  eventually  be  vindicated  in  the  sight  of  men. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Job  answers  Bildad,  denying  he  is  a  hypocrite. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Bildad. 

Conclusion:      Man   is   an   unequal   match   for   his   Maker,   either   in   dispute   or 

combat.     If  God  should  deal  with  any  of  us  according  to  our  deserts,  we 

should  certainly  be  undone. 
Key  Word:      Complaint,  v.  17. 
Strong  Verses:      20,  32. 


Page  One  Hundred  Four  JOB 

Striking  Facts:  2,  3,  33.  While  it  may  be  possible  for  us  to  vindicate  our  own 
integrity  to  friends,  we  can  never  plead  our  integrity  for  our  justification 
before  God.  Were  it  not  that  the  believer  stands  in  Christ's  righteousness, 
he  would  have  no  ground  whatever  before  God. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Bildad  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Bildad. 

Conclusion:  Sometimes,  when  in  affliction,  the  believer  is  tempted  to  think 
that  God's  providences  and  His  justice  cannot  be  reconciled.  Faith 
and  patience  would  keep  us  from  being  weary  of  our  lives  and  would  show 
us  that  when  God  contends  with  us,  there  is  always  some  good  purpose 
in  it. 

Key  Word:      Complaint,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  Christian's  comfort  is  that  he  is  "in  Christ"  and 
that  although  he  is  afflicted,  there  is  no  condemnation.  (Rom.  8:1).  He 
is  chastised  that  he  might  not  be  condemned  with  the  world.  (1.  Cor. 
11:32). 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  Zophar's  theory  of  Job's  condition.  He  thinks  Job  a  hypocrite 
and  liar. 

Characters:      God,  Zophar,  Job. 

Conclusion:  Those  are  not  always  in  the  right  who  are  most  forward  to 
express  their  judgment  and  to  conclude  that  if  God  should  speak,  He 
would  agree  with  them.  We  should  seek  to  put  the  best  possible  construc- 
tion upon  the  words  and  actions  of  our  brethren  that  they  will  bear,  lest 
we  add  to  their  afflictions. 

Key  Word:      Liar,  mocker,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  14,  15,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  Zophar  is  a  type  of  the  religious  dogmatist  who  thinks  he 
knows  all  about  God's  ways  and  exactly  what  God  will  do  in  each  indi- 
vidual case. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Job  answers  his  three  friends,  extolling  God's  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  three  friends. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  wise  providence  which  guides  and  governs  all  things 
by  rules  with  which  the  wisest  men  are  but  imperfectly  acquainted.  The 
afflicted  one  should  learn  to  acquiesce  in  His  disposals  and  the  one  who  is 
tempted  to  criticise  and  censure  should  learn  not  to  be  over-wise  in  his 
expressions  of  judgment. 

Key  Word:      Hand  of  God,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  Nothing  is  more  grievous  to  one  who  has  fallen  from 
prosperity  into  adversity  than  to  be  insulted  when  he  is  down.  Our  Lord 
Jesus  is  the  wisest  and  kindest  of  comforters.  To  Him  let  us  go  in  all 
our  troubles. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  three  friends  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  three  friends. 

Conclusion:  We  should  presevere  in  the  way  of  duty,  though  it  cost  us  all 
that  is  dear  to  us  in  this  world,  rejoicing  in  God  when  there  is  nothing 
else  to  rejoice  in,  knowing  that  the  "sufferings  of  this  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in 
us." 

Key  Word:      Reasoning,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  Those  who  walk  in  unbroken  fellowship  with  Christ, 
having  assurance  there  is  no  unconfessed  sin  in  their  lives,  may  cheer- 
fully welcome  every  event,  being  in  readiness  for  it. 


JOB  Page  One  Hundred  Five 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  his  friends  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion:  God's  providence  has  the  ordering  of  the  period  of  our  lives;  our 
times  are  in  His  hand.  The  consideration  of  our  inability  to  contend  with 
God,  of  our  sinfulness  and  weakness,  should  lead  us  to  throw  ourselves 
unreservedly  into  His  hands  that  He  might  accomplish  fully  His  purposes 
in  us. 

Key  Word:      Trouble,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  Though  our  friends  prove  miserable  comforters,  the 
believer  may  rejoice  in  all  circumstances  in  the  comfort  that  there  is  a 
life  beyond,  victory  over  even  the  grave  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:  Eliphaz's  theory  about  Job,  charging  him  with  foolishly  justifying 
himself. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Eliphaz. 

Conclusion:  Those  speeches  which  do  no  good,  being  of  no  service  either  to 
God,  our  neighbors  or  ourselves,  are  better  unspoken.  If  in  our  troubles 
we  give  ourselves  to  prayer  and  worship,  we  will  be  less  apt  to  drop  those 
expressions  which  cause  others  to  question  our  sincerity  and  constancy  in 
religion. 

Key  Word:      Unprofitable  talk,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  31. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  Although  God  uses  His  saints,  He  places  no  confidence 
in  them  apart  from  the  ability  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  He  imparts  to 
them  for  service,  and  the  standing  they  have  in  Jesus  Christ. 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Job  charges  that  Eliphaz  is  but  heaping  up  words. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  three  friends. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  great  comfort  to  a  good  man  who  lies  under  the  censures 
of  brethren  who  do  not  understand  his  case,  that  there  is  a  God  in  heaven 
who  knows  his  integrity  and  sooner  or  later  will  clear  it  up. 

Key  Word:      Miserable  comforters,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  19,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  best  friend  to  plead  for  us  is  the  Lord  Jesus  and 
it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  through  the  Word,  who  comforts  effectually. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     He  longs  for  death. 

Characters :      Job . 

Conclusion:  The  believer  should  recognize  that  wherever  he  goes  there  is 
but  a  step  between  him  and  the  grave  and  should  always  be  ready.  How- 
ever he  should  allow  no  hard  providence  to  deter  and  discourage  him  in 
the  service  of  God,  but  should  be  so  much  the  more  emboldened  to  per- 
severe in  God's  way. 

Key  Word:      Darkness,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  The  believer  has  a  surety  with  God,  namely  Christ,  the 
heavenly  intercessor.  He  will  plead  our  cause  if  we  look  to  Him  and  no 
one  else  can  lay  anything  to  our  charge.  (Rom.  8:32,  33). 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Bildad's  second  discourse  on  Job's  case. 

Characters:      God,  Bildad,  Job. 

Conclusion:  The  way  of  sin  is  a  way  of  fear  and  leads  to  everlasting  con- 
fusion, of  which  the  present  terrors  of  conscience  are  but  the  earnest. 

Key  Word:      The  wicked,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  It  is  not  true  that  all  who  suffer  great  distresses  in 
this  world  should,  on  that  account,  be  judged  wicked  when  no  other  proof 
appears  against  them.  Christ's  people  are  usually  a  suffering,  cross-bear- 
ing people. 


Page  One  Hundred  Six  JOB 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Bildad.     His  sublime  faith. 

Characters:      God,  Job,   friends. 

Conclusion:  We  may  easily  bear  the  unjust  reproaches  of  men  if  we  live  in 
expectation  of  the  glorious  appearance  of  the  great  God,  our  Saviour,  and 
that  we  shall  be  made  like  Him  when  we  see  Him  as  He  is. 

Key  Word:      Hope,  v.  27. 

Strong  Verses:      25,  26,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  Job  had  very  clear  beliefs.  The  brief  statement  here  takes  in 
redemption,  assurance,  second  coming  and  resurrection. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Zophar's  second  discourse  on  Job's  case. 

Characters:      God,  Zophar,  Job. 

Conclusion:  Though  wicked  men  may  sometimes  prosper,  their  joy  is  but  for 
a  moment  and  will  quickly  end  in  endless  sorrow. 

Key  Word:      Portion  of  the  wicked,  v.  29. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  Men  often  mistake  the  dictates  of  passion  for  the  dic- 
tates of  reason  and  therefore  think  they  are  wise  for  expressing  them- 
selves. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Zophar  in  which  he  denies  any  secret  sin. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  three  friends. 

Conclusion:  The  providences  of  God  in  the  government  of  this  world  are 
sometimes  hard  to  be  understood.  When  we  cannot  clearly  account  for 
the  prosperity  of  the  wicked  and  affliction  of  the  godly,  we  should  silently 
wait  the  issue,  judging  nothing  before  the  time. 

Key  Word:      Prosperity  (of  wicked),  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  If  we  have  eternal  life  through  Jesus  Christ,  and 
spiritual  blessings,  we  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  little  suffering 
we  may  be  called  upon  to  bear  for  Christ's  sake  in  this  world. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Eliphaz's  third  discourse,  accusing  Job  again  of  hypocrisy. 

Characters:      God,  Eliphaz,  Job. 

Conclusion:  It  is  the  duty  of  those  especially  who  are  in  affliction  to  keep 
up  a  perfect  acquaintance  with  God,  accommodating  themselves  to  all  the 
disposals  of  His  providence;  thus  they  shall  be  possessed  of  His  peace,  no 
matter  what  the  circumstances. 

Key  WTord:      Wickedness,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  16,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  Think  it  not  strange,  if  like  the  Master,  you  are  mis- 
understood and  blackened,  but  learn  to  pass  by  accusations  and  commit 
your  cause  to  Him  who  judgeth  righteously. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Job  again  answers.     He  longs  for  God. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  three  friends. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord  may  comfort  themselves 
with  the  thought  that  they  are  being  tried,  that  the  result  will  be  for 
their  honor  and  benefit  and  that  when  God  is  through  with  them  they  shall 
come  forth  as  gold  (1  Pet.  1:7)  pure  and  precious  to  the  Refiner. 

Key  Word:      Tried,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Fa«ts:  v.  10.  Though  men  do  not,  can  not,  or  will  not  understand 
us,  it  is  a  comfort  to  know  that  our  Lord  Jesus,  who  was  tried  in  all  points 
as  we  are,  does  perfectly  understand  our  hearts. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     The  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:      Though    wicked    men    seem    sometimes    to    be    under    the   special 


JOB  Page  One  Hundred  Seven 

protection  of  divine  providence,  even  dying  without  any  disgrace,  yet  God 
keeps  account  of  all  their  wickedness  and  will  some  day  make  it  appear 
that  their  most  secret  sins,  which  they  thought  no  eye  saw,  were  under 
His  eye  and  will  be  called  over  again. 

KeyWord:      Prosperity  (of  wicked). 

Strong  Verses:      23. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Bildad's  third  discourse  on  Job's  case. 

Characters:      God,  Bildad,  Job. 

Conclusion:      Man   cannot,   in  himself,   be  justified   before   God   for  he  has  no 

merit  of  his  own  to  extenuate  his  guilt. 
Key  Word:      Justification,  v.  4. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   4.      Since  man,  by  reason  of  his  fallen  state  and  corrupt 

nature  is  odious  to  God's  holiness,  even  in  his  best  righteousness,  we  have 

need  to  be  born  again,  that  being  justified  by  faith  in  Christ,  we  may  have 

peace  with  God.     Rom.  5:1. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Bildad.      His  faith  in  God. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:  God  is  infinite  and  incomprehensible;  man's  capacities  to  under- 
stand Him  and  all  His  ways  are  weak,  therefore  the  full  discovery  of 
God's  glory  is  reserved  for  the  future  state.  Let  us  meanwhile  be  content 
with  His  revelations  to  us. 

Key  Word:      God's  power,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  We  are  often  disappointed  in  the  counseling  of  our 
friends  for  they  demand  what  we  cannot  produce  and  we  need  what  they 
cannot  give.  Our  Comforter,  the  Holy  Spirit,  never  mistakes  in  His  oper- 
ations or  misses  in  His  ends. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Job's  answer  to  Bildad  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:  The  consideration  of  the  miserable  condition  of  the  hypocrite 
should  engage  us  to  be  upright. 

Key  Word:      Hypocrites,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  often  the  lot  of  upright  men  to  be  censured  and  con- 
demned as  hypocrites,  but  it  well  becomes  them  to  bear  up  boldly  under 
such  censures,  holding  fast  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  keep  from  discour- 
agement and  eventually  vindicate  them. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     The  value  of  divine  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:      To  be  truly  religious  is  to  be  truly  wise.     If  we  know  God,  His 

wisdom  will  appear  in  the  practice  and  observance  of  our  religion  and  we 

shall  be  surely  guided  in  our  way. 
Key  Word:      Wisdom,  v.  12. 
Strong  Verses:      28. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  12.      There  is  truer  satisfaction  in  the  wisdom  which  God, 

through  Christ,   communicates  to  the  Christian,   showing  the  way  to  the 

joys  of  heaven,  than  in  all  the  natural  philosophies  and   sciences   which 

only  help  men  to  find  a  way  into  the  earth.      (1-11). 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     He  rehearses  the  story  of  his  life. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:      A  gracious  soul  delights  in  God's  smiles,  not  the  smiles  of  the 

world,   although  virtue  and   piety  challenge  respect  and   usually  have   it. 

Those    who    are    not    only    good,    but    DO    GOOD    are    worthy    of    double 

honor. 

Key  Word:      The  past,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 


Page  One  Hundred  Eight  JOB 

Striking  Facts:  We  can  see  in  this  chapter  a  familiar  type  of  Christ  in  His 
power  and  goodness.  Our  Lord  Jesus  is  the  poor  man's  Lord,  loving  right- 
eousness and  hating  iniquity.  Upon  Him  the  blessing  of  a  world  ready  to 
perish  comes. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     He  reviews  his  present  condition. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:  The  best  saints  often  receive  the  worst  of  indignities  from  a 
spiteful  and  scornful  world,  merely  because  providence  appears  tempor- 
arily to  be  against  them.  Our  Master  Himself  was  thus  abused,  therefore 
we  need  not  deem  it  strange. 

Key  Word:      Abhored,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      23. 

Striking  Facts:  Those  who  today  cry  "Hosannah"  may  tomorrow  cry  "Cru- 
cify." Job  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  who  was  made  the  reproach  of  men  and 
who  hid  not  His  face  from  shame  and  spitting. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Job's  answer  continued.     He  insists  on  his  integrity. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:      An   upright  heart   does   not   dread   a   scrutiny.      A   good   man   is 

willing  to  know  the  worst  of  himself  and  will  be  thankful  to  those  who 

will  faithfully  tell  him  of  his  faults. 
Key  Word:      Integrity,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  14. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   4.      The  Lord  Jesus  keeps  account  of  all  and  will  bring 

every  work  into  judgment.     "If  our  hearts  condemn  us  not,  then  have  we 

confidence  toward  God." 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse,  stating  his  reasons  for  interfering. 

Characters:      God,  Job,  Elihu,  friends. 

Conclusion:      One  who  is  jealous  of  the  honor  of  God  cannot  be  grieved  when 

injury  is  plainly  done.     It  is  time  to  speak  when  we  hear  errors  advanced 

and   disputed   for  under  pretense  of  supporting   God's   cause   with   them. 

(1  Tim.  4:12). 

Key  Word:      Opinions,  vv.   6,   17. 
Strong  Verses:      8,  21. 
Striking  Facts:      Elihu  shows  a  deeper  spiritual  conception  than  any  of  Job's 

three  friends,  because  he  has  a  higher  conception  of  God.      Externalists 
.     and  moralizers,  while  they  see  God  in  His  power  through  His  works,  know 

nothing  of  His  grace  toward  man  in  Christ  Jesus,  but  look  upon  Him  as 

being  very  exacting  in  all  His  relations.     He  who  has  seen  God  in  the  cross 

of  Calvary  will  have  the  highest  conception  of  God. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse  continued.     Affliction  is  shown  to  be  discipline. 

Characters:      God,  Elihu,  Job. 

Conclusion:      God  often  afflicts  the  body  in  love  and  with  gracious  designs  of 

good  to  the  soul.     Wherever   God   finds  a  submissive   heart,   He   can   do 

great  things  for  the  soul. 
Key  Word:      God's  working,  vv.  29,  30. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  26. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  14.     "Ransom."     Jesus  Christ  is  our  Ransom,  the  ransom 

of  God's  finding.     So  great  was  the  injury  done  by  sin,  that  nothing  less 

could  atone  for  it  than  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse  continued.     He  magnifies  God's  holiness. 
Characters:      God,  Elihu,  Job,  friends. 

Conclusion:  It  is  absurd  and  unreasonable  to  multiply  words  in  complaint 
against  God's  ways.  His  Fatherly  corrections  are  a  part  of  our  filial  edu- 


Page  One  Hundred  Nine 

cation  and  we  should  beware  of  a  rebellious  heart  which  only  brings  added 

affliction  to  ourselves  and  reproach  upon  God. 
Key  Word:      Rebellious,  v.  37. 
Strong  Verses:      10,21,32. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse  continued.     Job's  rash  talk  reproved. 

Characters:      God,  Elihu,  Job. 

Conclusion:  It  is  vain  to  appeal  to  God  to  remove  affliction,  or  to  try  to 
acquit  ourselves,  if  we  have  not  studied  to  know  the  end  for  which  the 
affliction  was  sent.  It  is  equally  vain  to  pray  for  relief  when  we  do  not 
trust  our  case  in  God's  hands. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.  13. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse  continued.     God's  justice  defended. 

Characters:      God,  Elihu,  Job. 

Conclusion:  God  does  all  things  well.  Though  it  may  seem  sometimes  that 
we  are  neglected  and  forgotten  and  that  providence  has  made  an  over- 
sight, yet  the  tender  eye  of  the  heavenly  Father  is  upon  us,  and  when 
affliction  has  accomplished  that  for  which  it  was  sent,  we  shall  be  com- 
forted and  established. 

Key  Word:      God's  discipline,  v.  22. 

Strong  Verses :      11,22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  Trial  is  the  school  of  trust.  Sore  distress  is  a  bless- 
ing in  disguise  if  it  drives  one  to  Christ  and  teaches  the  power  of  faith 
and  prayer. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Elihu's  discourse  continued.     God's  majesty. 

Characters:      God,  Elihu,  Job. 

Conclusion:  We  must  all  own  that  our  finite  understandings  cannot  compre- 
hend the  infinite  perfections  of  God,  but  we  may  be  sure  that  because  He 
is  infinitely  wise,  He  will  do  everything  for  the  best.  It  therefore  becomes 
us,  in  whatever  circumstances,  to  reverence  Him  and  patiently  wait. 

Key  Word:      Majesty,  vv.  14,  22. 

Strong  Verses:      14,  22,  23. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      God's  challenge  to  Job. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  try  to  call  God  to  account,  will  be  called  to  account. 
Seeking  to  establish  one's  own  character  and  darkening  the  counsels  of 
God's  wisdom,  is  an  affront  and  provocation  to  God.  Humble  faith  can 
know  more  of  God's  secrets  than  human  reasonings. 

Key  Word:      Challenge,  v.  3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Man  knows  nothing  about  the  making  of  this  world 
other  than  what  God  has  revealed  in  His  Word.  It  is  the  honor  of  Jesus 
Christ  that  He  was  present  when  this  was  done.  (Prov.  8:22;  Jno.  1:1,  2). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:      God's  challenge  to  Job  continued. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion:  When  we  consider  God's  wonderful  works  in  all  nature  about  us, 
and  see  how  wonderfully  even  the  brute  creatures  are  fitted  for  and 
inclined  to  the  services  for  which  they  were  designed,  we  see  how  unfit 
we  are  to  dictate  to  God.  Those  who  see  God's  hand  in  everything  can 
best  leave  everything  in  His  hands. 

Key  Word:      Challenge,  v.    1. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  28-30.  The  Lord  Jesus  referred  to  this  instinct  of  the 
eagle  in  Matt.  24:28.  See  Rev.  19:17-18.  Every  creature  will  make 
toward  that  which  is  its  proper  food. 


Page  One  Hundred  Ten*  JOB 

CHAPTER   FORTY 

Contents:      God's  challenge  to  Job  continued.     Job's  answer. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion: :  A  real  vision  of  God's  power  and  wisdom  changes  men's  opin- 
ions of  themselves  and  silences  their  disputes  with  God.  The  valley  of 
humbling  is  a  blessed  place,  for  no  one  falls  there  who  does  not  rise  to 
newness  of  life  and  service. 

Key  Word:      Challenge,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  God  demands  a  quality  no  human  being  is  able  to 
present  (not  even  perfect  Job)  but  by  His  grace,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
He  bestows  upon  the  yielded  believer  all  that  He  asks. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-ONE 

Contents:      God's  challenge  to  Job  concluded. 

Characters:      God,  Job. 

Conclusion:      Man  is  utterly  unable  to  contend  against  the  Almighty.      If  the 

inferior  creatures  keep  man  in  awe,  how  wonderful  must  the  majesty  of 

God  be,  who  has  sovereign  dominion  over  all. 
Key  Word:      Challenge,   v.    1. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  1.      "Leviathan."     There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  whether 

a  crocodile  or  whale  is  meant  here.      In  either  case  the  great  power  of  the 

Creator   is   illustrated. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-TWO 

Contents:      Job's  self- judgment,  followed  by  new  prosperity. 

Characters:      God,   Job,   Eliphaz,   three   friends. 

Conclusion:  Righteousness  in  a  man  is  excellent  but  when  one  becomes  too 
much  aware  of  their  own  goodness,  it  reveals  deep  darkness  as  to  their 
own  real  condition  before  God.  If  we  really  know  God,  we  will  be 
humble.  If  we  really  know  ourselves,  we  cannot  be  proud. 

Striking  Facts:  There  can  be  no  personal  acquaintance  with  God  until  we 
have  the  sentence  of  death  written  upon  self,  realizing  that  in  ourselves 
there  is  no  good  thing.  All  we  are,  we  have  by  God's  grace  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

The  godly  suffer  that  they  might  come  to  self-knowledge,  42:3;  and 
self-judgment,  42:6;  that  they  might  repent,  42:6;  and  have  greater 
fruitfulness,  42:7-17;  and  escape  condemnation  with  the  world.  1  Cor. 
11:32. 


! 


BOOK  OF  PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Eleven 

PSALMS 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Praise  150  29:2  Son  of  God 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Worship  the  Lord  in 

David,  Moses,  Asaph  1500  to  1000  B.  C.  the  beauty  of  holiness 

Ethan,  Sons  of  Korah.  and  give  to  Him  the 

glory  due  His  name. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      The  two  ways  of  man. 

Characters:      God,  righteous  man,  ungodly  man. 

Conclusion:      Blessed  is  the  man  whose  footsteps  are  ordered  by  the  Word  of 

God  for  he  shall  find  both  peace  and  prosperity.      Those  who  are  without 

God  are  being  hurried  to  a  terrible  doom. 
Key  Word:      Godly  and  ungodly,  vv.   1,  4. 
Strong  Verses:      2,    3. 
triking  Facts:      Our  Lord  Jesus  was  the  typical  "blessed  man"  who  delighted 

to  do  the  Father's  will. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      The  psalm  of  the  king;   rejected,  established  and  finally  reigning. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  kings  of  earth. 

Conclusion:  The  kings  of  earth  are  ever  setting  themselves  in  array  against 
God  and  His  Annointed  King,  but  in  the  day  when  He  conies  those  who 
will  not  bend  will  be  broken.  Infinitely  wise  is  he  who  yields  his  life 
to  Jesus  now  and  dreadful  is  the  folly  of  those  who  continue  in  enmity 
to  Him. 
ey  Word:  God's  King,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  The  yoke  of  Christ  is  intolerable  to  a  graceless  neck 
but  to  the  sinner,  saved  by  His  precious  blood,  it  is  easy  and  light.  Matt. 
11:29. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      A  prayer  of  David  (when  he  fled  from  Absalom). 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  God  is  a  shield  for  His  trusting  people.  He  wards  off  the  fiery 
darts  of  Satan  and  the  storms  of  trouble,  at  the  same  time  speaking  peace 
to  the  tempest  within  the  breast. 

Key   Word:      Sustained,    v.    5. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   5,   6. 

Striking  Facts:  In  many  of  the  psalms  of  David,  we  can  see  more  of  David's 
Lord  than  of  David  himself.  The  agonies  of  Christ  are  wonderfully  por- 
trayed in  this  chapter. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      David's  exhortation  to  others  to  serve  God. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:      The    godly    are    chosen,    and    by    distinguished    grace    set    apart 

and  separated  from  men,   all  the  longings  of  the  soul  being  satisfied   in 

God.      How  rash  are  they,  who  by  rejecting  Christ,  hate  their  own  mercies 

merely  that  they  might  discover  the  vanities  of  sin. 
Key   WTord:      Godliness,    v.    3. 
Strong  Verses:      5,    8. 
Striking   Facts:      v.    5.      Let   the    sinner    flee    to    the   sacrifice    of   Calvary   and 

there  put  his  whole  trust,  for  He  who  died  was  none  other  than  the  Lord 

Jehovah. 


Page  One  Hundred  Twelve  PSALMS 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  David's  prayer  in  which  he  extols  God's  holiness  and  asks  judg- 
ment upon  the  wicked. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  Prayer  should  be  both  the  key  of  the  morning  and  the  bolt 
of  the  evening.  If  we  pledge  ourselves  to  Him  at  the  beginning  of  day, 
taking  sides  with  Him  against  the  things  He  abhors,  we  will  be  apt  to  find 
His  way  straight  before  our  faces  throughout  the  day. 

Key  Word:      Prayer,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    11,    12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  (Worship  toward  the  temple.)  The  temple  shadowed 
forth  the  body  of  Christ,  our  Mediator,  in  whom  alone  our  prayers  are 
accepted  with  the  Father.  In  our  praying  the  soul  should  ever  look 
toward  Him. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      David  in  weakness  seeks  God's  help. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  Our  way  often  lies  through  a  vale  of  tears,  but  there  is  One 
whom  we  can  trust  in  the  greatest  straits  and  difficulties  and  who  can 
dry  our  tears  and  stop  our  pains.  To  Him  let  us  betake  ourselves  waiting 
upon  Him  in  earnest  prayer. 

Key  Word:      Sore  vexed,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  In  this  psalm  of  sorrow,  David  is  seen  as  a  type  of 
Christ  who  wept  and  cried  out  "My  soul  is  exceeding  sorrowful  even  unto 
death,"  but  found  strength  to  sustain  in  the  Father  above. 

CHAPTER   SEVEN 

Contents:      David  prays  for  deliverance  from  persecutors.  ' 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:      When  the  believer  is  slandered  he  has   the  court  of  heaven  to 

fly  to  and  a  righteous  Judge  who  is  the  patron  of  oppressed  innocency. 

He  will  be  our  defense  and  will  return  upon  the  wicked  their  shame.     Self 

vindication  is  not  judicious  or  serviceable. 
Key  Word:      Persecutors,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      9,   10,   16. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Meditation  on  the  majesty  of  God's  works  and  the  insignificance 
of  man. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  When  we  consider  the  majesty  of  God's  wonderful  works  in  the 
universe,  we  cannot  but  wonder  that  He  should  notice  such  a  mean  creat- 
ure as  man,  yet  we  may  be  sure  he  takes  precedence  of  all  the  inhabitants 
of  this  world,  being  made  but  a  little  lower  than  angels. 

Key  Word:      Excellence,  vv.  1,  9. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  5,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  The  psalm  wonderfully  foreshadows  Christ.  He  was  the 
revelation  of  the  Father's  excellent  name;  His  glory  is  set  above  the 
heavens;  He  has  sovereign  dominion  and  it  is  He  whom  God  has  clothed 
with  glory  and  honor.  For  a  little  time  He  was  made  lower  than  angels, 
when  He  took  upon  Himself  the  form  of  a  servant.  All  creatures  are 
under  His  feet  and  will  eventually  own  Him  to  be  Lord  of  all. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Praise  for  victory  over  enemies. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:      In  the  midst  of  all  distresses,  we  may  by  faith  find  a  refuge  in 

God  and  when  victory  comes,  we  should  not  forget  that  He  expects  returns 

of  praise. 

Key  Word:  Praise,  vv.  1,  11. 
Strong  Verses:  9,  10,  16,  18. 
Striking  Facts:  v.  18  is  one  of  the  sweet  promises  of  the  Bible.  When 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirteen 

pleaded  before  the  throne  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  is  indeed 
Himself  the  great  Promise  of  the  Bible,  it  will  be  found  exceedingly 
precious. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The   psalmist   meditates   on   the   wicked   and   desires   to   see   them 

humbled   under   God's   hand. 
Characters:      Psalmist,  God. 
Conclusion:      The   Christian   cannot  but  lay  to   heart  that  which   is   offensive 

to  God,  feeling  a  tender  compassion  for  those  who  are  oppressed  and  a 

zeal  for  the  honor  of  God.     Let  us  look  to  God  with  a  firm  belief  that  He 

will  at  the  proper  time  give  redress  to  the  injured  and  reckon  with  the 

oppressors. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      17,    18. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  16.     We  shall  speed  well  if  we  carry  our  complaints  to  the 

King  of  Kings,  for  at  the  throne  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  all  wrongs  will  be 

redressed.     "Come  quickly  Lord  Jesus." 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      The  doom  of  the  wicked. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  If  we  get  the  vision  of  God  on  His  throne,  governing  all 
creatures,  rendering  to  all  according  to  their  works,  we  shall  then  see  no 
reason  to  be  discouraged  by  the  power  of  oppressors  but  will  rest  in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      4,   7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  There  is  One  who  pleads  His  precious  blood  in  our 
behalf  in  the  temple  above  and  an  Intercessor  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  who  is  never  deaf  to  the  cries  of  His  trusting  people. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      A  prayer  for  help  against  oppressors. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  is  commonly  tempted  to  think  that  because  trouble 
has  lasted  long,  it  will  last  always,  but  if  he  will  bring  his  cares  and 
griefs  to  the  throne  of  grace,  he  may  go  away  with  praise,  being  assured 
that  all  will  be  well  at  last. 

Key  Word:      Oppressors,   v.    5. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Some  see  in  the  seven-fold  trying  of  God's  Word,  an 
allusion  to  the  seven  dispensations  of  man  or  to  the  seven  periods  of  the 
church,  or  to  that  perfection  signified  in  the  number  seven  to  which  the 
Scriptures  will  have  been  brought  at  the  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  believer's  desires  often  turn  to  impatience,  for  days  seem 
long  when  the  soul  is  cast  down,  but  because  God's  face  is  hidden,  it  does 
not  follow  that  His  heart  has  forgotten.  If  we  hold  to  God  by  faith,  we 
will  at  the  same  time  be  assured  that  victory  is  coming  and  that,  after  all, 
God  has  dealt  bountifully  with  us. 

Key  Word:      Supplication,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  If,  after  all  our  pains,  we  find  Jesus  Christ  in  a  new  way, 
it  will  make  full  amends  for  all  our  long  patience. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      The    corruption    and    foolishness    of    man. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Man  in  his  natural  state  has  become  odious  to  God,  utterly  in- 
capable of  answering  the  ends  of  his  creation,  until  by  God's  free  grace, 
a  change  has  been  wrought. 


Page  One  Hundred  Fourteen  PSALMS 

Key  Word:      Corrupt,  v.  1. 

Strong   Verses :      3 . 

Striking  Pacts:  The  only  perfect  goodness  is  to  be  found  in  Jesus  Christ. 
All  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  God's  standard;  all  are  therefore  con- 
cluded under  sin,  in  the  same  state  of  damnation,  until  by  God's  grace 
and  faith  in  Christ,  they  are  regenerated. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Those  who  shall  dwell  with  God. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  would  find  their  way  to  heaven  must  have  some  of 
heaven  in  them  on  their  way  there.  The  child  of  God  will  walk  in  the 
ordinances  of  the  Lord,  abhoring  that  which  dishonors  Him. 

Key  Word:      Who   shall  abide,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:       1,    2. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  When  we  are  taught  of  God,  we  will  see  that  only  our 
spotless  Lord  can  find  acceptance  before  the  Majesty  on  High.  Until 
we  are  "in  Christ,"  conformed  to  His  image,  there  is  no  abiding  place 
for  us  in  His  tabernacle. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Meditation  on  the  goodness  of  God. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  commit  themselves  to  God's  care  and  submit  them- 
selves to  God's  guidance  will  find  a  blessed  portion  in  Him.  If  we  have 
the  pleasures  of  His  favor,  we  should  not  fail  to  give  Him  the  praise  of  it. 

Key  Word:      Goodly  heritage,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      8,    10,   11. 

Striking  Facts:  It  was  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  in  the  fullest  sense  made  the 
Father  His  portion,  the  Father's  glory  His  highest  end  and  the  Father's 
will  His  delight.  He  who  in  soul  and  body  was-  preeminently  God's  Holy 
One  was  loosed  from  the  pains  of  death  because  it  was  not  possible  that 
He  should  be  holden  of  it.  (vv.  8-10.) 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      David  prays  for  relief  from  the  pressure  of  enemies. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  If  we  are  abused  and  misrepresented,  we  have  a  righteous  God 
to  go  to  whose  judgment  is  according  to  the  truth  and  by  whose  decisions 
there  will  be  rendered  to  every  man  his  due.  In  the  prospect  of  awak- 
ing with  His  likeness,  we  can  cheerfully  waive  the  enjoyments  of  this  life 
and  suffer  with  patience. 

Key  Word:      Oppressors,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      8,    15. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  It  is  in  Christ  alone,  the  first  born  from  the  dead, 
the  express  image  of  Jehovah's  glory,  that  the  saints  will  rise  immortal, 
incorruptible,  to  be  eternally  satisfied  in  heaven.  We  shall  see  Him 
as  He  is  and  be  made  like  Him. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Praise  for  God's  marvelous  deliverances. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  not  only  will  deliver  His  trusting  people  out  of  their  diffi- 
culties in  due  time,  but  will  give  them  grace  to  bear  up  under  their 
trials  in  the  meantime.  Give  God  the  glory  of  all  the  deliverances  and 
advancements  of  His  Kingdom. 

Key  Word:      Delivered,  vv.   17,   50. 

Strong  Verses:       2,  3,  30,   32. 

Striking  Facts:  David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  who  was  brought  safely  through 
all  conflicts  with  the  forces  of  evil  and  given  to  be  head  over  all.  Though 
He  sees  not  yet  all  things  put  under  Him,  yet  He  knows  that  He  shall 
reign  until  all  opposing  rule  is  put  down  and  all  men  acknowledge  Him 
to  be  both  Lord  and  Christ. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Fifteen 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:  God's  revelation  of  Himself  in  the  book  of  nature,  book  of  the 
law  and  the  book  of  human  life. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  makes  Himself  known  through  three  great  books,  all  of 
which  have  as  their  theme  the  glory  and  handiwork  of  God.  The  book 
of  nature  (vv.  1-6)  is  read  by  every  human  being.  The  book  of  the  law 
(vv.  7-14)  converts  the  soul  and  becomes  an  unfailing  guide.  The  book 
of  human  life  (vv.  12-14)  is  a  Bible  to  the  unsaved  world  and  must 
therefore  be  maintained  with  unspotted  pages. 

Key  Word:      Glory   of   God,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  7,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  is  the  Bridegroom  who 
rejoices  to  reveal  Himself  to  men  and  like  the  champion,  wins  glory  to 
Himself  in  His  union  with  His  Bride,  the  true  church. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      A  prayer  for  God's  annointed  people. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  children  of  this  world  trust  in  second  causes  and  rise 
or  fall  with  them  but  those  who  have  a  believing  and  obedient  trust  in 
God  have  the  sure  way  to  preferment  and  establishment. 

Key   Word:      Saving    strength,    vv.    1,    6. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 

Striking  Facts:      vv.   3,   5.      In  all  our  conflicts,  we  are  to  have  an  eye  to  the 

I       sacrifice  of  Jesus,  pausing  ever  at  His  cross  before  we  march  on  to  battle. 
Come  what  may,  having  trusted  in  His  finished  work,  we  may  then  rejoice 
in  His  saving  arm. 
CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Praise   for   blessing   and   confidence    for    further   victory. 
Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:      Let  praise  be  the  blossom  of  prayer.      Though  we  cannot  sing  a 
note  in  honor  of  our  own  strength,  we  can  always  rejoice  in  our  omnipo- 
tent God,  if  we  have  trusted  all  to  Him. 
Key  WTord:      Answered  prayer,  v.   2. 
Strong  Verses:      8,    13. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  2,  5,  6.  The  psalm  looks  forward  to  Jesus,  who  is  God 
over  all  blessed  forever;  once  crowned  with  thorns  but  now  wearing  the 
glory  crown.  He  is  the  Pleader  whose  requests  are  never  withheld.  Let 
us  make  use  of  this  all-prevailing  Intercessor. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      David  in  great  perplexity  cries  for  help. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:      Trouble  and   perplexity  drive   us  to   earnest  prayer   and   earnest 

prayer  drives  away  trouble  and  perplexity.      To  fall  upon  the  knees  is  the 

surest   way  to   whip   the   enemy. 
Key  Word:      Trouble,   v.    11. 
Strong  Verses:      22,  24,  27. 
Striking  Facts:      The  psalm  gives  a  graphic  picture  of  the  death  of  the  Lord 

Jesus  and  is  called  "the  psalm  of  the  cross. "We  see  both  the  sufferings  of 

Christ  and  the  glory  to  follow.      Oh  for  grace  to  draw  near  and  see  this 

great  sight.      (Read   Matt.    27.) 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      David  sees  Jehovah  as  his  good  shepherd. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  is  with  (v.  1)  under  (v.  2)  beside  (v.  2)  after  (v.  6) 
before  (v.  5)  and  ahead  of  (v.  6)  all  His  trusting  children.  They  shall 
not  want  for  food  (v.  2)  drink  (v.  2)  strength  (v.  3)  guidance  (v.  3) 
comfort  (v.  4)  satisfaction  (v.  5)  or  life  (v.  6). 

Key  Word:      Shepherd,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4. 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixteen  PSALMS 

Striking  Facts:  The  shepherd  psalm  follows  the  psalm  of  the  cross.  We  must 
by  experience  know  the  value  of  the  blood  shed  on  Calvary's  cross  and 
see  the  sword  awakened  against  the  Shepherd  before  we  can  truly  know 
the  sweetness  of  the  Good  Shepherd's  care.  Psa.  22  is  the  Good  Shepherd 
dying  for  His  sheep.  (Jno.  10:11.)  Psa.  23  is  the  Great  Shepherd  caring 
for  His  sheep.  (Heb.  13:20.)  Psa.  24  is  the  Chief  Shepherd  coming 
again  for  His  sheep.  (1  Pet.  5:4.) 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      The  one  who  shall  stand  before  Jehovah. 

Character:      God. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  been  made  meet  for  heaven  shall  be  brought 
safely  into  God's  presence.  While  none  may  venture  to  meet  God's 
standards  on  the  footing  of  the  law,  God's  grace  in  Christ  can  make  us 
meet. 

Key  Word:      Blessing  and  righteousness,  v.   5. 

Strong  Verses:      1,    3,    4. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ,  the  ascended  Savior,  is  here  seen  as  Head  and  Crown 
of  the  universe,  the  King  of  Glory.  He  it  was  who  could  ascend  the  hill 
of  the  Lord,  meeting  perfectly  all  requirements.  He  has  entered  there  as 
the  forerunner  of  all  who  trust  Him  and  shortly  is  coming  out  again  to 
be  acknowledged  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Prayer  for  guidance,  forgiveness,   mercy  and  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  It  is  our  duty  and  privilege  to  trustingly  wait  upon  the  Lord  in 
adoration,  supplication  and  service  all  the  days  of  our  lives.  Those 
whose  hearts  are  right  with  Him,  shall  not  err  for  want  of  heavenly 
direction  in  any  time  of  perplexity. 

Key  Word:      Prayer,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      9,    14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Good  and  upright.  God's  goodness  and  uprightness 
are  in  perfect  union.  They  were  perfectly  blended  in  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  on  Calvary.  Because  God  Himself  has  paid  the  price  of  the 
cross,  He  can  be  just  and  yet  justify  the  ungodly;  His  goodness  and 
righteousness  are  harmonized.  Faith  in  this  sacrifice  is  the  sinner's 
only  hope  of  being  delivered. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:  David  prays  for  vindication  and  deliverance  and  pledges  faithful- 
ness. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  great  comfort  to  those  who  have  a  clear  conscience  toward 
God  that  He  is  a  witness  to  their  sincerity  and  as  the  righteous  God  will 
sooner  or  later  vindicate  them. 

Key  Word:      Examine,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7,   11. 

Striking  Facts:  In  this  chapter  is  seen  a  type  of  Christ  who  was  made  a 
reproach  of  men  and  who  forewarned  His  followers  that  it  would  also  be 
their  portion  to  have  all  manner  of  evil  spoken  against  them  falsely  for 
His  sake. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      David  glories  in  Jehovah's  name  and  expresses  triumphant  faith. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  is  the  believer's  light  and  strength  by  whom  and  in  whom 
he  lives.  We  should  therefore  let  the  heart  be  fixed  in  Him  and  the  mind 
stayed  upon  Him,  waiting  His  deliverance  in  all  circumstances. 

Key  Word:      God's  goodness,  v.   13. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  3,  5,  10,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  We  get  here  a  picture  of  Christ  against  whom  false 
witnesses  arose,  breathing  out  cruelty,  but  though  He  was  delivered  into 
their  wicked  hands,  He  was  not  delivered  to  their  wills,  for  God  exalted 
Him  far  above  all  principality  and  power. 


: 

st 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Seventeen 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies  and  testimony  as  to  answered 

prayer. 

Characters:      God,  David. 
Conclusion:      The   Lord   is    our   strength   to   support   us   in   either   service    or 

suffering,   as  well   as   our  shield   to   protect   us   from   the   designs   of   the 

enemy.     The  heart  that  truly  believes  in  Him  shall  in  due  time  greatly 

rejoice. 

Key  Word:      Supplication,   v.    2. 
Strong  Verses:      7. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  2.     The  holy  place  within  the  veil  was  the  place  where  the 

ark  and  mercy  seat  were  which  foreshadowed  the  Lord  Jesus.     If  we  gain 

acceptance   in   prayer,   we   must   ever   turn   ourselves   to   the   blood-sprin- 

gled  mercy  seat  of  His  atonement. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Adoration  of  God's  mighty  power. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:      Let    the    crowns,    the    great    ones    of    earth,    acknowledge    their 
dependence  upon  God  and  join  in  worship  to  the  blessed  and  only  Poten- 
tate of  the  universe. 
Word:      Power   and   majesty,   v.    3. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11,  Peace.  Jesus,  the  mighty  God,  is  our  peace.  Having 
purchased  the  peace  of  pardon  on  the  cross,  He  bequeathed  it  in  His 
promise  to  His  followers,  "Peace  I  leave  with  you;  my  peace  I  give  unto 
you." 

CHAPTER   THIRTY 

Contents:      Thanksgiving  for  answer  to  prayer. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  We  should  hem  all  our  blessings  with  praise  lest  they  unravel. 
Let  us  never  forget  to  pray,  nor  ever  doubt  the  success  of  prayer. 

Key  Word:      Thanks,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  5. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  The  Lord  Jesus  is  able  to  bring  substantial  consola- 
tion to  the  believer.  He  Himself  was  for  a  time  deserted  of  the  Father 
that  those  who  believe  on  Him  might  not  be  deserted  eternally. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      David  implores  God's  help  against  enemies  and  extols  God  for  his 

preservation. 

Characters:      God,  David. 
Conclusion:      All  our  affairs  are  safe  in  Jehovah's  hands;  without  reservation 

therefore,  we  should  yield  ourselves  to  the  Father's  hand  to  be  sanctified 

by  His  grace,  devoted  to  His  honor,  employed  in  His  service  and  fitted  for 

His  Kingdom. 
Key  Word:      Trouble,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      19,    20,    24. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    5.      These  living  words   of   David  were   our   Lord's   dying 

words  from  the  cross  when  He  made  His  soul  an  offering  for  sin. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  blessedness  of  those  whose  sin  is  forgiven. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:      The  only  cover  that  will  hide  our  sins  forever  away  from  God's 

sight  is  that  provided  in  the  atoning  death   of  His   Son.      He   is   blessed 

indeed  who  has  a  Substitute  who  assumes  all  accounts  to  stand  for  him. 

If  the  believer  does  not  humble  himself  by  the  confession  of  his  sins  to 

God,  God  will  humble  him  by  chastisements. 
Key  Word:      Forgiven,   v.    1. 
Strong  Verses:      1,    8. 
Striking    Facts:      v.    2.      The    righteousness    of    Christ    being    imputed    to    the 

believer  and  the  believer  being  made  the  righteousness  of  God  "in  Him" 

his   iniquity   is   not   set   to   his   account.      Christ    took    upon    Himself    the 

iniquity  of  us  all  and  was  made  sin  for  us. 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighteen  PSALMS 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Praise    of    God's    wisdom    and    power. 

Characters:      Psalmist,   God. 

Conclusion:  The  righteous  who  know  the  goodness  of  God  should  never  be 
empty  of  His  praises.  Though  the  residence  of  God's  glory  is  in  the 
highest  heavens,  yet  His  eye  is  upon  every  inhabitant  of  earth  and  no 
detail  of  their  lives  escapes  His  observation. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v,   2. 

Strong  Verses:      4,   10,   12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  The  three  persons  of  the  Godhead  united  in  the  creation 
of  all  things.  Christ  is  the  Word,  (Jno.  1:1)  without  whom  nothing  was 
made.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  the  breath.  God  made  the  world,  as  He  rules 
it  and  redeems  it,  by  His  Son  and  Spirit. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-POUR 

Contents:  David  thankfully  records  God's  goodness  and  invites  the  praise  of 
others. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  who  share  His  special  favor  should  concur  in  His 
praises  and  magnify  His  name  together.  Upon  every  fresh  occurence 
of  His  mercies,  let  us  renew  our  praises,  thus  encouraging  others  to  trust 
Him.  The  true  and  only  way  to  happiness  is  to  walk  in  the  love  and  favor 
of  God. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v  1. 

Strong  Verses      1,   7,   10,   15,   19. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  Although  it  is  strange  that  we  meet  with  anything 
of  Christ  here,  this  Scripture  is  said  to  have  been  fulfilled  in  Christ.  Jno. 
19:36.  The  passover  lamb  of  which  not  a  bone  was  broken  prefigured 
Jesus  and  at  the  same  time  the  complete  keeping  of  His  Body,  the  Church. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      An  appeal  to  heaven  for  the  confusion  of  enemies. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  The  most  righteous  men  and  the  most  righteous  causes  may 
expect  to  meet  with  many  mighty  and  malicious  enemies.  The  safest 
place  to  leave  a  righteous  cause  is  with  the  righteous  God  who  is  able  to 
give  judgment  upon  it  in  the  right  way  and  at  the  right  time.  If  God  is 
our  friend,  it  does  not  matter  who  our  enemie  ;  are. 

Key  Word:      Persecutors,  v.   3. 

Strong  Verses:      27,    28. 

Striking  Facts:  Herein  David  was  a  type  of  Christ  to  whom  the  wicked  world 
was  most  ungrateful  (Jno.  10:32)  and  who  was  slandered  as  no  one  else 
ever  was  (Matt.  26:60).  If  we  are  falsely  charged,  let  us  remember  that 
so  persecuted  they  the  prophets  and  our  Lord  Himself. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-SEX 

Contents:      The  wicked  contrasted  with  the  righteous  and  the  Lord  of  devout 

men  extolled. 
Characters:      God,    David. 
Conclusion:      Sinners    are    self    destroyers    and    when    sin    is    finally    made    to 

appear  in  its  true  colors  to  them,  they  will  be  made  a  terror  to  themselves. 

But  whatever  is  amiss  with  the  world,  we  may  be  sure  there  is  nothing 

amiss  with   Jehovah  and  that  those  who  cleave  closely  to   Him  shall  be 

eternally  satisfied. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,  v.  1    (satisfaction,  v.  8). 
Strong  Verses:      7,  8,  9. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  9.      Prom  the  Lord  Jesus  as  the  self-sufficient  spring  (Jno. 

4:14),   proceeds   our  life   and   by  Him   it   is   sustained.      In   His   light  we 

see  light.     We  cannot  see  Jesus  by  the  light  of  self,  but  we  see  self  in  the 

light  of  Jesus. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The  riddle   of  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked   and   the   affliction   of 

the  righteous. 
Characters:      God,    David. 


Page  One  Hundred  Nineteen 

Conclusion:  The  believer  should  never  waste  a  minute  fretting  about  his 
enemies,  but  should  look  forward  with  the  eye  of  faith,  when  he  will  see 
no  reason  to  envy  wicked  people  their  short-lived  prosperity.  Those  who 
make  God  their  heart's  delight  will  have  their  heart's  desire  and  will  be 
fully  satisfied  in  Him-. 

Key  Word:      Evil  doers,  v.  1,  and  righteous,  v.  37. 

Strong  Verses:       I,   3,   4,   5,   7,   16,   23,   24. 

Striking  Facts:  Come  what  may,  the  saints  are  safe  in  Christ  Jesus  and  be- 
cause He  lives,  they  shall  live  also.  As  heirs  with  Him,  heaven  and 
eternity  shall  be  theirs.  Who  would  not  be  a  Christian  on  such  terms, 
in  spite  of  all  the  oppression  of  the  godless? 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      David's   grief,    complaints   and    confession. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  often  contends  with  His  children  to  awaken  their  con- 
sciences and  to  set  their  sins  in  order  before  them  for  their  humiliation. 
If  we  are  truly  penitent  for  sin,  we  will  make  a  particular  acknowledg- 
ment of  what  we  have  done  amiss  and  God  will  then  restore  the  joy  of 
salvation,  with  patience  to  bear  our  affliction. 

Key  Word:      Bowed  down,  v.   6. 

Strong  Verses:      15. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  This  is  the  condition  of  every  awakened  conscience 
until  given  relief  through  the  Lord  Jesus.  When  man  sees  himself  in 
the  light  of  God's  Word  applied  by  the  Spirit,  he  must  acknowledge  his 
depravity  and  helplessness  to  get  deliverance  apart  from  Jesus  Christ. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:  The  psalmist,  bowed  down  with  sorrow  and  sickness,  is  burdened 
with  unbelieving  thoughts  and  prays  for  help. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:  We  should  not  feed  the  fire  of  discontent  by  poring  over  our 
troubles,  for  we  cannot,  with  all  our  disquietment,  altar  the  nature  of 
things.  Although  satisfaction  is  not  to  be  found  at  all  in  the  creature, 
it  is  always  to  be  found  in  God,  and  to  Him  we  should  be  drawn  by  our 
disappointments. 

Key  Word:      Sorrow,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

CHAPTER  FORTY 

Contents:      God's  salvation  extolled  and  prayer  for  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  seek  God  in  all  their  perplexities  shall  rejoice  and  be 
glad  in  Him,  for  He  will  not  only  be  found  of  them,  but  will  be  their 
bountiful  rewarder,  wherefore,  they  should  say  continually,  "the  Lord  be 
magnified." 

Key  Word:      Praise  and  prayer,  vv.  3,  13. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   16. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  6-8.  The  offerings  had  their  worth  only  as  types  of  the 
sacrifice  of  Christ,  but  when  He  came,  as  it  was  foretold  in  the  volume 
of  the  Book,  they  ceased  to  be  of  worth.  He  alone  completely  did  the 

I     will  of  God.      Our  expiation  from  sin  is  due  not  to  us,  but  our  Substitute's 
obedience   to   the  will  of  Jehovah. 


Page  One  Hundred  Twenty  PSALMS 

CHAPTER    FORTY-TWO 

Contents:  The  experiences  of  a  much  afflicted  saint  and  his  confidence  in 
God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  God  often  teaches  His  saints  effectually  to  know  the  worth  of 
His  mercies  by  causing  them  to  feel  the  want  of  them.  A  believing  confi- 
dence in  God  is  the  best  antidote  against  disquietude  of  spirit.  The  way 
to  forget  our  miseries  is  to  rest  in  the  God  of  our  mercies. 

Key  Word:      Hope,  v.   5. 

Strong  Verses:      5,    11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Our  Lord  Jesus,  for  our  sakes,  was  overwhelmed  with  a 
deluge  of  grief,  like  that  of  the  old  world,  when  the  fountains  of  the  deep 
were  broken  up.  He  endured  all  the  billows  of  God's  wrath  against  sin. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-THREE 

Contents:      Prayer  for  God's  help  and  leading. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      We  need  desire  no  more  to  give  us  satisfaction  of  heart  than  the 

good  that  flows  from  God's  favor.      If  we  conscientiously  follow  His  light 

and  truth,  it  will  certainly  bring  us  to  His  holy  hill  above. 
Key  Word:      Oppression,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      3,    5. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  3.     No  common  light  can  show  us  the  road  to  heaven,  but 

only  that  light  sent  from  heaven,  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Spirit  of  Light  and 

the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  the  Light  of  the  world. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Complaint  of  the  Lord's  apparent  forgetfulness  and  entreaty  for 
His  help. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  tokens  of  God's  displeasure  are  more  grievous  to  those  who 
have  been  long  accustomed  to  the  tokens  of  His  favor,  but  the  remem- 
brance of  His  former  goodness  should  be  a  cause  of  heart  searching  and 
a  support  to  faith. 

Key  Word:      Affliction,  v.   24. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  There  is  a  reference  here  to  those  who  suffer,  even 
unto  death,  for  the  testimony  of  Christ  and  to  whom  it  is  applied  in 
Rom.  8:36. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:      A  psalm  of  the  King,  looking  to  His  advent  in  glory. 

Characters:      God,   Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  In  the  eyes  of  all  those  enlightened  by  the  Holy  Spirit  the  Lord 
Jesus,  the  King  of  Kings,  excells  all  the  children  of  men  in  His  excel- 
lencies. How  much  more  worthy  is  He  of  our  love. 

Key  Word:      King,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   7. 

Striking  Facts:  In  Jesus,  the  Annointed  King,  we  behold  every  feature  of  a 
perfect  character  in  harmonious  proportion.  He  will  never  be  so  beautiful 
as  when  He  is  seen  in  union  with  His  Bride,  the  Church. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SIX 

Contents:      A  psalm  of  holy  confidence  in  God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  may  count  themselves  safe  and  make  themselves 
strong  in  Him  in  whom  there  is  always  help  sufficient,  no  matter  what  is 
the  case  and  exigence. 

Key  Word:      Refuge,  v.    1,   11. 

Strong  Verses:      1,   10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  God  the  Father  is  a  river  (Jer.  2:13).  God  the  Son 
is  a  river,  the  fountain  of  salvation  (Zech.  13:1,  3).  God  the  Spirit  is 
a  river  (Jno.  7:38;  4:14).  The  perfections  of  the  Father,  the  fullness  of 
Christ,  the  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit — these  make  up  the  great  river 
that  makes  glad  the  city  of  God. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-One 


PSALMS 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The  people  exhorted  to  shout  over  God's  triumphs. 

Characters:      God,    Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      Let  all   who   know   God   and   own   His   sceptre   sing   His   praises 

forever;   for  while  we  dwell  under  the  shadow  of  such  a  throne  there  is 

eternal  reason  for  thanksgiving. 
Key  Word:      Praises,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      8. 
Striking  Facts:      The  prospect  of  the  coming  universal  reign  of  Christ  as  Prince 

of  Peace  is  enough  to  make  the  tongue  of  the  dumb  sing. 


C 

n 


CHAPTER   FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Praise  of  the  beauty  and  strength  of  Mount  Zion,  the  city  of  God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  There  is  one  city  which  is  the  world's  star  (Jerusalem),  the  most 
precious  pearl  of  all  lands,  because  it  is  God's  city  on  which  His  eye  is 
ever  resting.  (Although  it  has  long  been  in  the  dust,  it  will  be  restored 
again  as  the  capital  of  the  whole  earth  (Isa.  62:6-7;  Mic.  4:8). 

Key  Word:      Mount  Zion,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  There  is  a  spiritual  Zion  equally  glorious  and  which  shall  never 
be  overthrown,  the  Church,  against  which  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  pre- 

tvail.     She   is   putting   on   her   garments   to   welcome   the   King   when   He 
comes  to  reestablish  the  literal  Zion  and  to  rule  over  the  whole  earth. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-NINE 

Contents:      The  despicable  character  of  those  who  trust  in  their  wealth. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      There  is  no  security  in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  wealth, 

for  money  cannot  buy  the  redemption  of  the  soul.     God's  children,  though 

poor,  are  truly  happy  above  the  most  prosperous  of  this  world  because 

they  are  guarded  against  the  terrors  of  death  and  judgment  to  come. 
Key  Word:      The  rich,  v.   6. 
Strong  Verses:      15,  16,  17. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  7.      Christ  has  done  that  for  us  which  all  the  wealth  of  the 

world  cannot  do,  redeeming  us  with  His  precious  blood   (1  Pet.  1:18-19). 

The  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious  because  of  its  tremendous  cost. 

Having  been  once  wrought,  it  ceases  forever,  never  needing  to  be  repeated. 

(Heb.    9:25-26;    10:12.) 

CHAPTER   FIFTY 

Contents:      The  arraignment  of  the  ungodly  and  the  greatness  of  Jehovah. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph. 

Conclusion:  Every  man  shall  be  called  to  give  an  account  of  himself  to  God. 
In  that  great  day,  He  will  make  those  to  hear  judgment  who  would  not 
hearken  to  His  calls  in  Grace.  Those  only  will  be  gathered  to  God  who 
have  sincerely  covenanted  with  Him  through  the  sacrifice  of  His  Son. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  v.   6. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  23. 

Striking  tacts:  v.  5.  It  is  only  by  the  sacrifice  of  Christ  that  sinners  can 
be  accepted  of  God.  Those  who  have  so  covenanted  will  be  gathered  unto 
Christ  at  His  coming  (2  Thes.  2:1)  to  be  assessors  with  Him  in  the  later 
judgment  of  the  world  (1  Cor.  6:2). 


CHAPTER  FIFTY-ONE 

Contents:      The  penitential  prayer   of  David. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:      All  the  believer's  wrong  doing  comes  to  a  climax  at  the  foot  of 

the  throne,  being  violation  of  God's  law.      While  the  penalty  of  sin  has 

been  blotted  out  by  the  blood,  the  defilement  of  all  subsequent  sin  remains. 

Confession  brings  sin  out  of  its  hiding  place  and  enables  the  sinner  to  take 

sides  with  God  against  it.      See  1  Jno.  1:9. 
Key  Word:      Confession,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   7,   10,   17. 


Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Two  PSALMS 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  The  sinner  is  purged  by  blood  upon  acceptance  of 
Christ  (Heb.  1:3;  9:12;  10:14)  which  takes  away  the  guilt  of  sin.  The 
washing  (v.  2)  takes  away  the  defilement  of  sin  in  the  Christian,  being 
accomplished  by  the  application  of  the  Word  by  the  Spirit.  (Eph. 
5:25-26.) 

CHAPTER  FIFTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  triumph  of  God's  people  over  all  oppressors. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  think  to  support  themselves  in  their  own  power  and 
wealth  without  God  and  His  Word,  are  wretchedly  deceived,  for  their 
houses  are  built  on  sand.  The  ruin  of  mighty,  yet  godless  men  cannot 
but  be  universally  noticed  when  that  day  comes. 

Key  Word:      Triumph,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      8,   9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Those  whose  confidence  is  in  God  are  compared  to  green 
olive  trees,  which  are  fat  as  well  as  flourishing  (92:14).  The  wicked 
are  compared  (37:35)  to  a  green  bay  tree,  which  has  an  abundance  of  large 
leaves  but  no  useful  fruit. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  foolishness  and  iniquity  of  atheism. 

Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  Bad  practices  are  the  fruit  of  bad  principles  and  bad  principles 
are  the  natural  fruit  of  denial  of  God.  Atheists,  whether  in  opinion  or 
practice,  are  the  biggest  fools  of  earth.  There  cannot  be  right  living 
where  there  is  not  right  believing. 

Key  WTord:      Atheist,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Those  who  meet  the  atheism  and  sinfulness  of  men 
cannot  but  long  for  the  hastening  of  the  glorious  return  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  earth  to  bring  joy  to  the  Church,  His  Bride,  and  restoration  to  His  people 
Israel. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Prayer  for  rescue  from  oppressors. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:  If  we  are  for  God,  we  may  be  assured  God  will  be  for  us  and  that 
we  will  have  such  care  from  Him  that  we  need  never  stand  in  fear  of 
enemies.  Let  us  make  His  strength  our  refuge  and  confidence. 

Key  Word:      Oppressors,  v.   3. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  In  all  our  perplexities,  if  we  have  an  eye  to  the  Great 
Sacrifice  of  Calvary,  we  can  look  up  and  praise  God.  Apart  from  our  Sub- 
stitute, we  have  no  ground  for  prayer. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Complaint   concerning   false   friends. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  best  salve  for  every  sore  is  prayer.  One  of  the  greatest 
griefs  is  to  find  ourselves  deceived  in  some  who  have  made  great  preten- 
tions  to  friendship  in  the  name  of  religion,  but  if  our  minds  are  stayed 
on  Christ,  we  may  ever  have  peace  of  heart,  for  His  peace  passes  under- 
standing (Phil.  4:6-7). 

Key  Word:      Complaint,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      16,    17,   22. 

Striking  Facts:  David's  suffering  at  the  hands  of  false  friends  is  here  a 
type  of  Christ's  sufferings.  Ahitiphel,  who  is  undoubtedly  referred  to, 
is  a  type  of  Judas,  for  they  both  hanged  themselves. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY-SIX 

Contents:      David  pours  out  complaint  about  enemies. 
Characters:      God,   David. 


- 


ALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Three 

Conclusion:  When  we  are  surrounded  on  all  sides  with  difficulties  and  dan- 
gers because  of  enemies,  we  have  but  one  retreat — the  mercy  of  God. 
Faith  in  Him  will  surely  banish  fear. 

Key  Word:      Enemies,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    4,    11. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      David  in  faith  pleads  God's  mercy  in  his  calamities. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God's  glory  should  be  nearer  our  hearts  than  any  interests  of  our 
own.  Whatever  God  performs  concerning  His  people,  it  will  finally  appear 
to  have  been  performed  for  their  benefit.  By  faith  and  prayer,  let  us 
therefore  take  refuge  in  Him  in  every  time  of  pressure. 

Key  Word:      Calamities,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses.      3. 

Striking  Facts:  The  Psalm  may  be  construed  of  Christ,  who  in  the  days  of  His 
flesh  was  assaulted  by  the  tyranny  of  enemies.  Herod  and  Pilate,  with 
the  Gentiles  and  Jews  furiously  raged  and  took  counsel  together  against 
Him.  The  chief  priests  and  princes  were  like  lions  in  readiness  to  devour 
Him.  In  it  all,  He  taught  us  that  if  we  seek  the  Father's  glory  our  inter- 
ests are  safe  in  His  hands. 

CHAPTER   FIFTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Prayer  for  the  defeat  of  ungodly  men. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  However  wicked  people  may  prosper  and  bid  defiance  to  divine 
justice,  they  will  eventually  learn  that  there  is  a  God  who  judges  in  the 
earth.  Whatever  hazard;  whatever  hardship,  the  believer  may  be  assured 
of  being  an  unspeakable  gainer  in  the  issue. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,   v.    3. 

Strong  Verses:      11. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-NINE 

Contents:      Complaint  of   the   malice   of  enemies   and   comfort  and   confidence 

in  God. 

Characters:      God,    David. 
Conclusion:      Those    who    are    for    Christ's    sake,    harmless    and    innocent    may 

expect  to  be  hated  of  wicked  men.      It  is  their  wisdom  and  duty  in  times 

of  such  difficulties,  to  wait  upon  God,  for  He  is  their  defense,  their  refuge 

in  whom  they  shall  be  safe. 
Key  Word:      Enemies,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      9,    16,    17. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    6.      The  persecutors  of  our   Lord   Jesus   are   compared   to 

dogs    (22:16).      They  ran    Him    down   with    barking,    for   otherwise    they 

could  have  found  no  way  to  take  Him.      What  they  lacked  in  reason  and 

justice,  they  made  up  in  noise. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY 

Contents:      Prayer  for  the  deliverance  of  God's  people  from  enemies. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:  God  often  gives  His  own  people  a  hard  course  in  this  world  that 
they  may  not  take  up  their  rest  in  the  world  but  may  dwell  at  ease  in 
Him  alone. 

Key  Word:      Prayer,  vv.  1,  11. 

Strong  Verses:      11,   12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Christ,  the  Son  of  David,  is  given  for  an  ensign  of  the 
people  (Isa.  11:10),  a  banner  to  those  who  fear  God.  His  love  is  the 
banner  over  them.  In  His  name  and  power  they  war  against  the  powers 
of  darkness.  Let  us  unfurl  our  banners  to  the  breeze  in  confident  joy. 

CHAPTER  SIXTY-ONE 

Contents:      Encouraged    by   experiences   and    expectation,    David   calls   on    God 

for  further  deliverance. 
Characters:      God,   David. 


Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Four  PSALMS 

Conclusion:      Past  experiences  of  the  benefit  of  trusting  God  implicity  should 

ever  engage  us  to  keep  close  to  Him  and  encourage  us  to  hope  for  fresh 

mercies  in  the  time  of  stress. 
Key  Word:      Prayer,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      3,   4. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  2.     The  rock  is  Christ.      Those  are  safe  who  are  in  Him, 

but  none  can  mount  this  rock  except  God,  by  His  Spirit,  help  them  to  it. 

The  Spirit  is  able  to  effect  such  a  leading  even  in  the  case  of  one  who  is 

on  the  border  of  despair. 

CHAPTER  SIXTY-TWO 

Contents:  David  professes  his  confidence  in  God  and  encourages  himself  to 
wait  on  God. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:  Hope  in  God  will  always  be  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  sure  and 
steadfast.  Though  enemies  be  mighty  and  malicious,  if  God  is  for  us 
and  we  are  for  God,  we  need  not  fear  what  man  can  do. 

Key  Word:      Refuge,   vv.    7,    8. 

Strong  Verses:      2,    5,    6,    11. 

CHAPTER   SIXTY-THREE 

Contents:      David's  desire  toward  God  and  joyful  dependence  upon  Him. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:      The  believer   need   desire  nothing  more  than   the   favor   of   God 

to  make  him  happy  and  satisfied.      The  consciousness  of  communion  with 

God  is  the  sure  pledge  of  deliverance. 
Key  Word:      Longing,  v.    1. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   7. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  11.      Those  who  heartily  espouse  the  cause  of  Christ  who 

is  to  be  manifested  as  King  of  Kings,  shall  glory  in  His  victory  at  last. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-FOUR 

Contents:      David  prays  for  deliverance  from  the  malicious  designs  of  enemies. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  will  turn  the  tables  on  the  adversaries  of  His  people  and 
defeat  them  at  their  own  weapons,  therefore  the  righteous  need  not  worry 
about  the  arts  of  self  defense,  but  may  safely  leave  their  avengement  in 
His  hands. 

Key  Word:      Preservation,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-FIVE 

Contents:      David  gives  to  God  the  glory  of  His  power  and  goodness. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Conclusion:      Praise  is  due  to  God  from  all  the  world  because  of  His  mighty 

works,    but   praise    especially   waits    for    Him    in    His    church    among    His 

people. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.   1. 
Strong  Verses:      4. 

CHAPTER  SIXTY-SIX 

Contents:  A  call  to  praise  God  for  His  sovereign  dominion  and  power  in  the 
whole  creation. 

Characters:      God,   Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  God's  works  are  wonderful  in  themselves  and  if  duly  considered, 
will  fill  the  soul  with  amazement  and  praise,  for  it  will  ever  be  discovered 
that  His  grace  and  love  lay  at  the  bottom  of  every  testing  and  that  every- 
thing works  for  the  benefit  of  His  glorious  purposes. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  18,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Even  the  thankful  heart  dares  not  come  to  God  apart 
from  the  Great  Sacrifice.  Never  attempt  to  pray  without  Jesus. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Prayer  for  the  prosperity  of  God's  cause  in  the  world. 
Characters:      God,   Psalmist. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Five 

Conclusion:      Those  who  themselves  delight  in  praising  God  cannot  but  desire 

that  others  may  be  brought  to  praise  Him,  and  long  for  the  day  when  all 

nations  shall  bow  before  Him. 
Key  Word:      Praise,   v.    3. 
Strong  Verses:      1,    2. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  7.      Christ  is  coming  to  set  up  His  Kingdom  on  the  earth 

when  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  end  their  idolatry  and  adore  Him. 

Not  until  the  Lord  Himself  is  made  King  of  Kings  will  God's  love,  light, 

life  and  liberty  reach  to  all  peoples. 

CHAPTER   SIXTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Prayer  against  enemies  and  for  God's  people.  All  called  upon  to 
praise  God  for  His  greatness  and  goodness. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  glory  of  Zion's  King  is  that  He  is  a  Savior  and  benefactor  to 
all  His  willing  people  and  a  consuming  fire  to  all  those  who  are  impeni- 
tent and  enemies  of  God's  work  in  the  world.  He  continually  furnishes 
His  people  with  occasion  for  praise,  and  His  praises  shall  eventually  cover 
the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Praise,   vv.    4,    32. 

Strong  Verses:      19,   34. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  18.  This  may  refer  to  the  triumph  of  bringing  the  ark 
into  the  hill  of  Zion,  but  mystically  certainly  was  penned  with  foresight 
of  Christ  who  arose  from  the  dead,  with  triumph  ascended  into  heaven, 
taking  with  Him  the  captive  spirits  of  the  just  in  Paradise  and  thence 
sending  the  Holy  Spirit  unto  His  disciples. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-NINE 

Contents:      David  complains  of  great  distress  and  begs  God  to  succor  him. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  When  the  waters  of  affliction  rise  about  us,  the  only  course  is 
to  commit  the  keeping  of  our  souls  to  God,  that  we  may  be  neither 
soured  with  discontent  nor  sink  with  despair.  Our  prospects  are  as 
bright  as  the  promises  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Deep  waters,  vv.    2,    15. 

Strong  Verses:      13,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  This  Psalm  has  been  called  the  psalm  of  Christ's  humiliation 
and  rejection,  vv.  14-20  describe  His  Gethsemane  experience  (Matt. 
26:36-45).  v.  21  describes  the  cross  (Matt.  27:34-48).  The  present 
blindness  of  Israel  is  pictured  in  vv.  22-28  (Rom.  11:9-10).  v.  25  pic- 
tures Judas  (Acts  1:20)  a  type  of  his  generation. 

CHAPTER   SEVENTY 

Contents:      Prayer  for  help  for  the  godly  and  shame  for  enemies. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  God  sometimes  delays  help  to  His  own  people  that  He  might 
excite  earnest  desires  on  their  part.  A  heart  to  love  His  salvation  and 
to  desire  His  glory  before  our  own  is  a  good  earnest  of  the  answer  to 
prayer  and  of  His  good  will  toward  us.  Rest  assured  that  the  enemies 
of  Christ  will  have  wages  for  their  work. 

Key  Word:      Enemies,   v.    2. 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  These  exclamations  of  exulting  insolence  were  hurled 
at  our  Lord  Jesus  as  He  was  accompanied  to  the  cross.  Our  Savior 
caught  in  His  ears  the  distant  mutter  of  all  the  violent  exclamations  and 
felt  the  keen  poisoning  edge  of  every  insult  in  His  omniscience,  as  they 
cried  "aha,  aha." 

CHAPTER   SEVENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Prayer   that    enemies    might   be    put    to    shame.      Joyful    praise    of 

God's  goodness. 
Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  live  a  life  of  confidence  in  God  end  continually  resort 


Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Six  PSALMS 

to  Him  by  faith  and  prayer,  may  promise  themselves  a  strong  habitation 
in  Him,  such  as  will  never  fall  of  itself,  nor  can  ever  be  broken  down  by 
any  invading  power. 

Key  Word:      Trust,  vv.    1,   5,   14. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    15,    16. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  glories  of  the  reign  of  the  coming  King. 

Characters:      God,   David. 

Conclusion:      A    day   is   coming   when   all    shall    sing    "All    hail    the    power    of 

Jesus  name,   let  angels  prostrate  fall;    bring  forth  the  royal  diadem  and 

crown  Him  King  of  All." 
Key  Word:      King,  v.   11. 
Strong  Verses:      17. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   11.      Jesus  Christ  is  coming  to  be  acknowledged  Imperial 

Lord  and  King  by  all  men,  no  matter  how  high  their  state.      Every  knee 

shall  bow  to  Him  and  every  tongue  confess  that  He  is  Lord  to  the  glory 

of  the  Father.      "Come  quickly,   Lord  Jesus." 

CHAPTER  SEVENTY-THREE 

Contents:  The  temptation  to  envy  the  prosperity  of  wicked  people  and  how 
to  fortify  ones  self  against  it.  The  awful  fate  of  the  ungodly. 

Characters:      God,    Asaph. 

Conclusion:  Observing  that  many  wicked  men  prosper  in  their  impiety  and 
that  many  godly  people  have  to  drink  deeply  of  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction, 
often  brings  one  the  temptation  to  think  that,  after  all,  all  is  left  to  blind 
providence.  But  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked  will  be  found  to  be  short 
and  uncertain  and  sure  to  end  in  destruction  arid  misery.  The  righteous 
man's  afflictions  end  in  peace  and  eternal  joy. 

Key  Word:      Prosperity  of  wicked,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      24,   25,   28. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  The  truly  pious  soul  longs  for  the  Lord  Jesus  in  all 
places,  objects  and  events.  Heaven  would  be  no  heaven  at  all  if  He 
were  not  there.  He  is  better  than  all  on  earth — more  excellent  than  all 
in  heaven. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTY-FOUR 

Contents:  The  deplorable  condition  of  God's  people  spread  before  Him  with 
petition  for  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,   Asaph. 

Conclusion:  The  desolations  of  God's  house  cannot  but  grieve  the  believer 
more  than  any  desolations  that  might  come  to  his  own  house.  In  the 
time  of  such  distress,  he  cannot  sit  still  in  apathy  but  will  turn  to  God 
seeking  to  know  "why?"  (v.  1)  the  desolations  have  come,  looking  to 
Him  for  deliverance. 

Key  WTord:      Desolations,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  The  Christian  may  now  plead  the  ancient  work  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  that  which  was  finished  on  Calvary,  which  was  the  over- 
throw of  Satan,  sin,  death  and  hell.  He  who  wrought  such  a  wonderful 
salvation  for  us  cannot  desert  the  Christian  now. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      A  rebuke  for  those  who  fail  to  reckon  with  God. 

Characters:      God,   Asaph. 

Conclusion:  A  word  from  God  soon  abases  the  lofty,  and  hence  failure  to 
reckon  on  God  is  madness.  Even  kings  serve  His  purpose  when  they  rise 
and  when  they  fall,  for  He  is  back  of  the  scenes  controling  all  things. 

Key  Word:      Promotion,   v.    6. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  This  verse  may  well  be  applied  to  Christ.  The  world's 
inhabitants  were  being  dissolved  by  sin  and  destruction  was  threatened 
to  the  whole  creation.  Christ  bore  up  the  pillars  and  saved  the  world 
from  utter  ruin  by  saving  His  people  from  their  sins.  "He  upholds  all 
things  by  the  word  of  His  power." 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Seven 

CHAPTER   SEVENTY-SIX 

Contents:      The  glory  of  God's  power  celebrated. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph. 

Conclusion:  The  hardships  which  God's  people  suffer  by  the  wrath  of  their 
enemies  will  be  made  to  redound  to  the  glory  of  God  when  He  rises  to 
make  His  judgments  heard  and  sets  the  bounds  to  the  wrath  of  man. 
Force  is  of  no  avail  when  leveled  against  the  God  of  Hosts. 

Key  Word:      Greatness   (of  God),  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      7,    10. 

Striking  Facts:  This  psalm  expresses  the  advantages  the  Christian  enjoys 
in  Jesus  Christ  through  whom  God  is  known,  in  whom  God's  name  is 
made  great.  He  has  spoiled  principalities  and  powers  and  will  make  a 
show  of  them  openly. 

CHAPTER    SEVENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Sorrowful  complaints  followed  by  encouragement  by  remembrance 
of  God's  former  mighty  deliverances. 

Characters:      God,    Asaph. 

Conclusion:  The  thoughts  of  unbelief  can  always  be  argued  down  if  we  but 
stop  to  meditate  upon  God's  great  deliverances  of  former  days,  for  He 
is  a  God  who  changes  not. 

Key  Word:      Remember,   vv.    2,    6,    10. 

Strong  Verses:      10,   11,   12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Whatever  else  may  be  forgotten,  the  marvelous 
works  of  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the  days  of  old  must  not  be  suffered  to  be  for- 
gotten, for  the  memory  of  the  cross  is  always  the  handmaid  for  faith  and 
the  foundation  of  all  true  prayer. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Israel's  sins  wherewith  they  had  provoked  God.  The  tokens  of 
God's  displeasure  as  the  result. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  limit  Him  by  forgetfulness  of  His  benefits  (v.  11) 
refusing  to  walk  in  His  commands  (v.  10)  and  by  believing  not  in  His 
promises  (v.  22).  Yet  He  is  full  of  compassion,  ever  waiting  to  forgive 
their  iniquity  and  spare  them  from  being  cut  off  entirely. 

Key  Word:      Longsuffering,  v.   38. 

Strong  Verses:      72. 

Striking  Facts,  v.  72.  The  psalm  describing  the  varying  conditions  of  the 
people,  ends  in  peace  with  the  reign  of  the  Lord's  annointed,  David. 
When  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  Chief  Shepherd,  comes,  these  desert  roamings 
will  be  ended  and  we  shall  enter  into  the  rest  of  a  peaceful  Kingdom. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTY-NINE 

Contents:      The  deplorable  condition  of  God's  people  and  prayer  for  relief. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph. 

Conclusion:  If  God's  people  degenerate  through  sin  from  what  their  father's 
were,  they  may  expect  that  God  will  let  a  just  reproach  come  upon  them 
that  they  might  be  brought  to  true  repentance.  Those  who  desire  God 
to  avenge  them  must  themselves  be  upon  praying  ground. 

Key  Word:      Reproach,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  The  day  is  coming  when  God  will  make  bare  His 
everlasting  arm  on  behalf  of  His  people,  taking  glory  to  His  own  name  by 
sending  back  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  King  of  Kings,  by  the  brightness  of 
whose  coming  the  wicked  shall  be  destroyed  and  God's  name  glorified. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTY 

Contents:  The  tokens  of  God's  favor  besought  and  the  former  blessings  cited 
as  a  basis  for  present  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,    Asaph. 

Conclusion:  There  is  no  obtaining  favor  with  God  until  we  are  converted  unto 
Him  and  there  will  be  no  turning  unto  Him  except  as  we  submit  to  His 
grace,  for  it  is  He  who  turns  us.  When  we  confess  that  it  is  our  own 


Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Eight  PSALMS 

sinful  ways  which  have  provoked  God  to  hide  His  face,  we  are  beginning 

at  the  right  end  and  are  on  the  road  to  victory. 
Key  Word:      Turn  us  again,  vv.  3,  7,  14,  19. 
Strong  Verses:      17. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  17.      Their  king  is  called  the  man  of  God's  right  hand,  as 

he  was  also  under-shepherd  under  Him  who  was  the  Great  Shepherd  of 

Israel   (v.  1)   Christ  is  the  Great  Shepherd  to  whom  we  may  commit  His 

sheep  in  faith. 

CHAPTER    EIGHTY-ONE 

Contents:      God    chides   His    people   for   their   ingratitude    and    pictures    their 

happy  state  had  they  but  obeyed  Him. 
Characters:      God,  Asaph,  Joseph,  Jacob. 
Conclusion:      God  gives  those  up  to  their  own  heart's  lust  who  are  determined 

to  give  themselves  up  to  be  led  by  them.     Those  who  will  listen  to  the 

counsels  of  His  Spirit  will  find  those  joys  and  consolations  which  always 

reward  the  obedient. 
Key   Word:      Abandoned,    v.    12. 
Strong  Verses:      10,   16. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  16.      The  honey  out  of  the  rock  speaks  to  us  of  Christ,  the 

Rock  of  our  Salvation  (1  Cor.  10:4)  and  the  fullness  of  grace  in  Him  and 

the  blessings  of  the  Gospel.     Those  who  hearken  to  Christ  are  filled  and 

satisfied  with  all  that  is  good. 

CHAPTER   EIGHTY-TWO 

Contents:      Instructions  for  the  judges  of  the  earth. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph. 

Conclusion:  God  judges  among  the  mighty  of  earth.  They  have  their  power 
from  Him  and  are  accountable  to  Him.  Magistrates  should  therefore  do 
good  with  all  their  power,  remembering  that  it  is  their  special  office  and 
duty  to  protect  and  deliver  the  poor.  . 

Key  Word:      Judging,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  This  may  be  taken  as  a  prayer  for  the  hastening  of  the 
coming  of  Christ  who  is  the  Judge  of  the  earth,  the  King  by  right  divine 
who  is  to  inherit  all  nations.  When  He  comes,  all  unrighteous  potentates 
will  be  broken  like  potter's  vessels. 

CHAPTER    EIGHTY-THREE 

Contents:      An  appeal  to  God's  jealousy  for  His  cause  and  prayer  for  defeat 

of  enemies. 

Characters:      God,  Asaph,  Sisera,  Zeeb,  Jabin,  Oreb. 
Conclusion:      We  cannot  but  be  zealous  against  those  who  federate  to  strike 

at  God,   and  should  earnestly  desire  and  beg  of  God  that  such  enemies 

should  be  brought  to  confusion,  both  that  He  might  be  glorified  and  that 

they  might  be  brought  to  repentance.      (vv.   15-16.) 
Key  Word:      Enemies,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      17,  18. 
Striking  Facts:      The  prophecy  reaches  to  all  the  enemies  of  Christ's  church. 

Those  who  have  persistently  opposed  Christ  and  His  Kingdom,  may  here 

read  their  doom. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Testimony  to  God's  goodness  and  the  happiness  of  those  who  put 
their  confidence  in  Him. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  True  subjects  love  the  courts  of  their  King.  Favored  indeed  are 
those  who  are  constantly  engaged  in  His  service  (v.  4),  who  find  their 
strength  in  Him,  and  who  know  Him  by  the  life  of  real  faith.  (vv.  5,  12). 

Key  Word:      Blessed,  vv.   4,   5,   12. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   10,   11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  God  has  given  both  grace  and  glory,  for  the  Lord 
Jesus  is  the  fullness  of  both.  In  Him  we  shall  find  comfort  and  protec- 
tion and  in  Him  no  good  thing  may  be  withheld,  for  His  grace  secures 
every  covenant  blessing  to  the  believer. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Twenty-Nin-e 

CHAPTER   EIGHTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Prayer  for  an  afflicted  people.  Remembrance  of  former  mercies 
and  faith  for  future  good. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  sense  of  present  affliction  should  not  be  allowed  to  drown 
the  remembrance  of  former  mercies,  but  should  rather  cause  us  to  recall 
them  with  praise,  and  encourage  us  to  look  for  grace  and  mercy  in  ref- 
erence to  present  distress. 

Key  Word:      Revive  us,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  In  Christ  the  attributes  of  God  meet  in  perfect  unity 
in  the  salvation  of  guilty  men  by  a  holy  and  righteous  God.  By  the  gift 
of  Calvary,  God  is  as  true  as  if  He  had  fulfilled  every  letter  of  His  threat- 
enings  and  as  righteous  as  if  He  had  never  spoken  peace  to  a  guilty  sinner. 
Christ,  our  perfect  Substitute,  has  taken  the  full  penalty  of  our  sins. 

CHAPTER    EIGHTY-SIX 

Contents:  The  malice  of  enemies  deplored.  God's  goodness  pleaded  in  prayer 
for  mercy. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  best  self  preservation  is  to  commit  ourselves  to  God's  keep- 
ing and  by  faith  and  prayer  to  make  Him  our  preserver. 

Key  Word:      Supplication,  v.   6. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  11,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  In  this  Psalm  we  may  hear  the  voice  of  Christ,  who  was  both 
Son  of  God  and  Son  of  man,  one  God  with  the  Father  and  one  man  with 
men.  He  prays  for  us  as  our  Priest.  He  prays  in  us  as  our  Head  through 
His  Spirit.  He  is  prayed  to  by  us,  as  our  God. 


CHAPTER  EIGHTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      God's  favor  to  Zion  and  His  great  love  for  it. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  God  has  expressed  a  particular  affection  for  Jerusalem  because 
there  He  met  and  conversed  with  His  people  and  showed  them  the  great 
tokens  of  His  favor.  Because  His  love  is  set  upon  it,  His  people  also 
should  hold  it  in  reverent  regard. 

Key  Word:      Zion,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  Zion  may  be  taken  as  a  type  of  the  Gospel  church  of 
which  even  more  glorious  things  are  spoken  than  of  Jerusalem.  It  is 
the  Bride  of  Christ,  a  peculiar  people,  a  royal  priesthood,  and  the  gates 
of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.  We  need  never  be  ashamed  of  the 
church,  even  in  its  meanest  condition. 

CHAPTER    EIGHTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Lamentation  over  trouble  and  pleading  with'  God  for  mercy. 

Characters:      God,   Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Sometimes  the  best  of  God's  saints  are  severely  exercised  with 
the  sorest  of  inward  troubles  and  would  be  distracted  with  dismal  appre- 
hensions but  for  the  Throne  of  grace  to  which  they  may  seek  for  mercy 
and  strength.  Lest  there  be  offenses  which  prevent  the  Lord  from  giving 
favorable  regard  to  our  requests,  such  times  should  be  times  of  earnest 
heart  searching. 

CHAPTER   EIGHTY-NINE 

Contents:*  Joy  over  and  praise  of  God's  greatness.  Complaint  of  the  seem- 
ing failure  of  the  covenant  and  prayer  for  redress. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Though  we  may  find  it  hard  to  reconcile  some  dark  providences 
with  the  goodness  and  truth  of  God,  yet  we  should  hold  firmly  to  His 
promises,  knowing  that  His  truth  is  inviolable,  and  pleading  them  in 
prayer  before  Him.  No  matter  how  serious  the  situation,  there  is  ever 
matter  for  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

Key  Word:      Covenant,  vv.    3,    34. 

Strong  Verses:      7,    14,    18. 


Page  One  Hundred  Thirty        ,  PSALMS 

Striking  Facts:  v.  27.  The  covenant  looks  beyond  David  and  Solomon.  Isa. 
7:13-15;  9:6-7;  Mic.  5:2.  Jesus  has  preeminence  in  all  things,  having  a 
more  glorious  name  than  any  other.  When  He  comes,  it  will  be  seen  what 
the  covenant  stores  up  for  the  once  despised  Son  of  David,  but  who  is 
to  be  exalted  as  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords. 

CHAPTER    NINETY 

Contents:  The  frailty  of  man  and  his  consequent  need  of  being  submitted  to 
God's  sentences. 

Characters:      God,  Moses. 

Conclusion:  Men  are  dying  creatures  and  all  their  comforts  in  the  world  are 
likewise  passing  away  with  time.  They  should  therefore  stand  in  awe 
of  God,  walk  in  His  ways,  and  with  the  constant  apprehension  of  the 
uncertainty  of  life,  lest  they  fail  to  be  dilligent  and  doing  their  best  in 
His  service. 

Key  Word:      Frailty,  v.   9. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  12,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  The  beauty  of  the  Lord  is  the  beauty  of  holiness  and 
it  shall  suffice,  if  in  our  lives  His  holiness  is  reflected  by  the  Spirit  and 
we  are  transformed  into  the  image  of  Christ  from  one  stage  of  glory  to 
another.  That  beauty  of  holiness  shone  with  resplendent  lustre  in  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  as  He  lives  in  us,  it  may  be  reflected  in  every  disciple. 

CHAPTER    NINETY-ONE 

Contents:      The  preservation  of  those  whose  confidence  is  in  God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist,  Moses. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  live  a  life  of  communion  with  God  are  constantly  safe 

under  His  protecting  wing  and  may  preserve  a  holy  security  of  mind  at 

all  times.     He  will  be  their  rest  and  refuge  forever. 
Key  Word:      Refuge,  v.   9. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   2,   3,   4,   7,   11. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   1.      Into  the  secret  place  those  only  come  who  know  the 

love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  and  those  only  dwell  there  to  whom  "to  live 

is   Christ." 

CHAPTER  NINETY-TWO 

Contents:      The  ruin  of  sinners  and  the  joy  of  saints. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Let  the  Christian  not  fear  the  pride  and  power  of  evil  men  nor 
be  in  the  least  discouraged  by  their  impotent  menaces.  The  impenitent 
workers  of  iniquity  are  counted  and  taken  as  God's  enemies  and  as  such 
they  shall  perish  and  be  scattered. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  12,  13. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-THREE 

Contents:      The  honor  of  God's  kingdom. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  majesty  of  God's  Kingdom  eclipses  all  others.  He  can  do 
everything;  with  Him  nothing  is  impossible.  Let  not  the  Christian  there- 
fore fear  the  power  of  man  which  is  borrowed,  but  fear  Him  who  has 
power  omnipotent  and  eternal. 

Key  Word:      Majesty,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

Striking  Facts:  The  King  Immortal  and  Almighty  will  stand  upon  His  glorious 
throne  in  the  person  of  the  Son  of  Man.  That  the  Lord  Jesus  already 
does  reign  in  the  hearts  of  His  own  should  be  our  praise.  That  He  may 
come  and  set  up  His  Kingdom  on  earth  should  be  our  prayer. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-FOUR 

Contents:      An  appeal  to  God  to  appear  for  His  people  against  His  and  their 

enemies. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 
Conclusion:      There  is  a  God  to  whom  vengeance  belongs  who  will  certainly 

call  enemies  to  account.     Those  who  suffer  wrong  should  be  encouraged 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-One 

to  bear  it  as  His  chastisements,  committing  themselves  to  Him  who  judges 

righteously   and   works   all   things   together   for   the   good    of   those   who 

love  Him. 

Key  Word:      Evil  doers,  v.  16. 
Strong  Verses:      9,  12,  14,  22,  23. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   14.      God's  people  in  Christ  may  be  cast  down  but  they 

can  never  be  cast  off.     They  cannot  be  utterly  forsaken  because  they  are 

God's  inheritance  in  Christ.     Eph.  1:18. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-FIVE 

Contents:      A  call  to  praise  God  as  our  gracious  benefactor. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      It  is  due  our  God  and  King  that  we  should  speak  forth  and  sing 

forth  His  praises  out  of  the  abundance  of  a  heart  filled  with  love,  joy  and 

thankfulness. 

Key  Word:      Thanksgiving,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      1,  2,  7. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  1.     Christ  is  the  Rock  of  our  Salvation,  therefore  we  must 

sing  our  songs  of  praise  to  Him  who  sits  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb. 

We  are  His  under  all  possible  obligations,  being  the  people  of  His  pasture, 

the  sheep  of  His  hand  (v.  7).     By  His  hand  we  are  led  into  green  pastures, 

protected  and  provided  for. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-SIX 

Contents:  Call  to  all  people  to  praise  God  in  view  of  His  glory  and  great- 
ness. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  In  God  there  is  everything  that  is  awful,  yet  everything  that  is 
amiable.  Those  who  have  come  to  know  Him  should  go  forth  in  His 
strength,  enamoured  with  His  beauty  and  to  continually  praise  Him  in 
song,  thanksgiving  and  in  service. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  10-13.  Let  it  be  told  everywhere  that  Christ's  govern- 
ment will  be  the  happy  settlement  of  all  things  and  that  it  will  be  incon- 
testably  just  and  righteous.  He  is  coming  to  judge  and  to  rule  and  even 
now  is  at  the  threshhold.  "Come  quickly,  Lord  Jesus." 

CHAPTER  NINETY-SEVEN 

Contents:      The  comfort  of  God's  people,  arising  from  His  sovereign  dominion. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  It  is  enough  to  make  us  rejoice  in  and  adore  Jehovah  that  His 
throne  is  fixed  upon  the  rock  of  eternal  holiness,  that  righteousness  is  His 
immutable  attribute  and  that  judgment  marks  His  every  act.  Though  we 
cannot  see  or  understand  all  that  He  does,  we  may  be  sure  that  when 
the  books  of  divine  providence  are  opened,  no  eye  will  discern  a  word 
that  should  be  blotted  out. 

Key  Word:      Exalted,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  Those  who  rejoice  in  Jesus  Christ  and  His  exaltation  have 
fountains  of  joy  treasured  up  for  them.  While  they  may  expect  tribula- 
tion in  this  world,  the  day  is  coming  when  they  shall  see  all  powers 
recognize  the  chief  power  and  Christ's  Kingdom  victorious  among  the 
heathen. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Exhortation  to  praise.      The   joy  of   the   redeemed   because   of   the 

setting  up  of  God's  Kingdom. 
Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 
Conclusion:      The  setting  up  of  Christ's  Kingdom  is  a  matter  of  joy  and  praise. 

He  shall  be  welcomed  to  the  Throne  with  acclamations  of  joy  and  with  loud 

shouts  until  the  earth  rings. 
Key  Word:      Victory,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses :      1,9. 
Striking  Facts:      Jesus,  our  King  has  lived  a  marvelous  life,  died  a  marvelous 


Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Two  PSALMS 

death,  risen  by  a  divine  power,  by  the  energy  of  the  Spirit  has  wrought 
marvelous  things  and  is  yet  to  be  openly  proclaimed  the  conquering  King, 
monarch  over  all  the  nations  at  His  second  coming. 

CHAPTER  NINETY-NINE 

Contents:  Call  to  praise  God  because  of  the  glories  of  His  Kingdom  among 
men. 

Characters:      God,  Moses,  Samuel,  Aaron,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  holiness  of  God's  name  makes  it  truly  great  to  His  friends 
and  will  make  it  terrible  to  His  enemies.  Let  those  who  worship  Him 
in  all  humility,  praise  His  great  Name  and  give  Him  the  glory  due  unto  it. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah  exalted,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  *  Jehovah  has  revealed  Himself  in  Jesus  Christ  as  our 
reconciled  God  who  allows  us  to  approach  to  His  Throne.  Jesus  is  the 
King,  the  Mercy  Seat  is  the  throne,  and  the  sceptre  which  He  sways  is 
holy  like  Himself.  As  we  exalt  Him,  let  us  draw  near  in  all  humility  and 
adoration. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED 

Contents:      Call  to  praise  God  in  consideration  of  His  being  and  His  relation 

to  us. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 
Conclusion:      True    worshippers    should    be    joyful    worshippers.      If    we    serve 

Him  in  uprightness,  realizing  all  His  goodness,  we  cannot  but  serve  Him 

with  gladness,  intermixing  praise  with  all  our  service. 
Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  4. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  3.     It  is  the  Christian's  honor  to  have  been  chosen  out  of 

the  world  by  the  Good  Shepherd,  to  be  His  own  special  property,  and  it 

is  his  privilege  to  be  guided  by  His  wisdom,  tended  by  His  care  and  fed 

by  His  bounty. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  ONE 

Contents:  David's  vow  to  God  when  he  took  upon  him  the  charge  of  the  king- 
dom. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  believer  should  resolve  to  walk  by  the  rules  of  Christian 
prudence  and  in  the  ways  of  Christian  piety,  whether  he  be  abroad  in  public 
stations,  or  before  his  own  family. 

Key  Word:      Mercy  and  judgment,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  who  has  His  eyes  upon  the 
faithful  in  the  land  and  will  ultimately  banish  the  wicked  from  His 
presence,  v.  8  will  have  its  larger  fulfillment  when  He  comes  in  judg- 
ment. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWO 

Contents:  Sorrowful  complaint  of  great  afflictions  and  a  believing  prospect  of 
deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  greatest  ease  to  an  afflicted  spirit  is  to  unburden  itself 
by  a  humble  representation  of  its  griefs  before  God,  who  has  invited 
His  children  to  cast  all  their  burdens  upon  Him,  promising  to  sustain 
them. 

Key  Word:      Prayer,  vv.  1,  17. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  25,  26,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  25,  26.  The  application  of  these  verses  to  Christ  (Heb. 
1:10-12)  shows  that  the  Psalm  has  a  reference  to  the  days  of  the  Mes- 
siah. The  Son  of  God  made  the  worlds  (John  1:1-3;  Col.  1:16)  yet  for 
our  sakes  He  became  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THREE 

Contents:      The  psalmist,  affected  with  the  goodness  of  God  stirs  himself   up 

to  praise  God. 
Characters:      God,  David. 


I 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Three 

Conclusion:  God  is  the  fountain  of  all  good,  whatever  may  be  the  channel  and 
to  His  holy  name  we  should  concentrate  our  praise.  He  has  crowned  us 
with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies;  He  has  removed  our  trans- 
gressions far  from  us,  therefore  blessing  His  name  should  be  the  alpha 
and  omega  of  all  our  service. 

Key  Word:      Bless  the  Lord,  vv.  1,  20,  21,  22. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  3,  4,  5,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Redemption  will  ever  constitute  one  of  the  sweetest 
notes  in  the  believer's  grateful  song.  Glory  be  to  our  Great  Substitute 
who  has  delivered  us  from  going  down  into  the  pit  by  giving  Himself  to 
be  our  ransom. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FOUR 

Contents:      God's  greatness,  majesty  and  sovereign  dominion  celebrated. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist,  David. 

Conclusion:      It  is  the  joy  of  the  saints  that  He  who  is  their  God  is  a  great  God 

who   may  be   seen   in   all   His   mighty   works   in   nature,   which   proclaim 

Him  to  be  infinitely  wise  and  good. 
Key  Word:      God's  greatness,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      24,  34. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  4.     This  is  quoted  by  the  Apostle   (Heb.  1:7)   to  prove  the 

preeminence  of  Christ  above  the  angels.      Heb.    1:3   shows   us  that  it  is 

Christ  who  upholds  all  things  by  the  word  of  His  power. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FIVE 

Contents:      Jehovah  extolled  for  His  deliverances  of  Israel.     The  coming  forth 

from  Egypt  described. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist,  Moses,  Aaron,  Jacob,  Joseph,  Abraham. 
Conclusion:      God's  marvelous  works  will  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance 

by  the  thoughtful  and  the  grateful,  and  should  be  the  subject  of  familiar 

discourse.     We  should  continually  give  thanks  to  Him,  for  at  best  we  can 

give  but  poor  returns  for  such  rich  receivings. 
Key  Word:      Wondrous  works,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  5. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  SIX 

Contents:      The  badness  of  Israel  made  heinous  by  the  great  goodness  of  God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist,  Moses,  Aaron,  Dathan,  Abiram,  Phinehas. 

Conclusion:  Man's  perverseness  arises  continually  from  his  stupidity  toward 
God.  Our  understandings  are  dull;  our  memories  are  treacherous,  so 
that  we  easily  lose  sight  of  God's  mercies.  In  spite  of  our  treatment,  He 
is  a  gracious  God  who  pities  us  and  is  ever  making  merciful  allowances 
for  us,  not  giving  us  our  full  deserts. 

Key  Word:      Long  Suffering,  vv.  43,  45. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  5. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  SEVEN 

Contents:  God's  wisdom,  power  and  goodness  celebrated.  Man's  deplorable 
forgetfulness  of  His  mercies. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  no  special  matter  for  praise  may  furnish  them- 
selves with  matter  enough  from  God's  universal  goodness.  All  receive 
the  mercies  of  His  providence  and  are  therefore  called  upon  to  give  thanks. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  goodness,  vv.  8,  15,  21,  31. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  Those  who  have  an  interest  in  the  Great  Redeemer, 
being  saved  by  Him  from  sin  and  hell,  of  all  people  have  reason  to  say 
that  God  is  good  and  His  mercy  everlasting. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  EIGHT 

Contents:      Thanks  to  God  for  His  mercies  and  His  promises  pleaded. 
Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  We  should  praise  God  publicly  as  those  who  are  not  ashamed 
of  our  obligations  to  Him  and  our  thankful  sense  of  His  favors,  but  desire 


Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Four  PSALMS 

that  others  also  may  be  affected  with  a  realization  of  His  goodness  and 
the  value  of  leaning  upon  His  promises. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  With  such  assurance,  we  may  speak  of  the  performance 
of  God's  promise  to  the  Son  of  David,  who  is  certainly  to  have  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth  for  His  inheritance.  He  waits  at  God's  right  hand 
for  the  hour  when  He  shall  come  forth  to  be  proclaimed  both  Lord  and 
King. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  NINE 

Contents:  Complaint  of  the  malice  of  enemies  and  appeal  to  the  righteous 
God  for  judgment. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Satan. 

Conclusion:  When  enemies  are  spiteful  and  malicious,  it  is  the  unspeak- 
able comfort  of  the  Christian  that  God  is  for  him  and  that  to  Him  they 
may  apply,  knowing  that  He  will  concern  Himself  for  them  and  will  visit 
overwhelming  ruin  upon  the  enemy  in  His  own  time  and  way. 

Key  Word:      Adversaries,  v.  20. 

Strong  Verses:      31. 

Striking  Facts:  David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  who  was  compassed  about  with 
hateful  enemies,  who  persecuted  Him,  not  only  without  cause,  but  for  His 
love  and  His  good  works.  (John  10:32).)  Yet  He  gave  Himself  to  prayer  to 
pray  for  them.  However  the  imprecations  here  are  not  appropriate  in  the 
mouth  of  the  Saviour.  It  is  not  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  but  of  Sinai 
which  here  speaks  out  of  the  mouth  of  David. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TEN 

Contents:      The  Messiah  promised  to  the  fathers  and  expected  by  them. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Christ. 

Conclusion:      Christ  is  the  rightful  Lord  whose  title  is  incontestable.     He  will 

certainly  come  to  take,  and  keep  possession  of,  that  Kingdom  which  the 

Father  has  promised,  and  none  can  hinder. 
Key  Word:      Messiah,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      1. 
Striking  Facts:      This  psalm  affirms  the  deity  of  Jesus,    (v.   1)   announces  His 

eternal  priesthood,   (v.  4)   and  looks  to  the  time  when  He  will  appear  as 

the  Rod  of  Jehovah's  strength  (Rom.  11:25-27)  and  as  the  Judge  over  all 

powers  (vv.  5,  6). 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Exhortation  to  praise  God  for  the  greatness  and  glory  of  His  works. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      All  who  love  God  delight  to  meditate  upon  His  works.     They  are 

all  praiseworthy,  and  if  considered,  cannot  but  cause  us  to  adore  Him  and 

to  express  His  praise  to  others. 
Key  Word:      Jehovah's  works,  vv.  2,  4,  6,  7. 
Strong  Verses:      4,  10. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  9.     The  Christian  can  indeed  sing  of  redemption,  for  it  is 

an  accomplished  act,  wrought  out  for  us  by  Jesus  on  Calvary.     All  who 

have  received  Him  are  indeed  the  Lord's  redeemed. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWELVE 

Contents:      The  eternal  happiness  of  the  saints. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  truly  happy  man  is  he  who  fears  the  Lord,  for  he  is  given 
outward  prosperity  as  far  as  it  is  good  for  him,  and  all  spiritual  blessings 
which  are  true  and  eternal  riches. 

Key  Word:      The  upright,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  Fixedness  of  heart,  the  sovereign  remedy  against  all  disquiet- 
ing news  is  one  of  the  believer's  inheritances  in  Christ,  who  has  proved 
Himself  the  victor  over  Satan.  Looking  to  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher 
of  our  faith  is  the  sure  way  of  establishing  the  heart. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Five 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      A  call  to  praise  God. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  Praise  is  a  duty  the  believer  should  much  abound  in  and  in 
which  he  should  be  frequently  employed,  for  in  every  place  there  appears 
the  manifest  proofs  of  God's  wisdom,  power  and  goodness. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   7. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      The  deliverance  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      He  who  made  the  hills  and  the  mountains  to  skip,  can  when  He 

pleases  dissipate  the  strength  and  spirit  of  the  proudest  of  His  enemies 

and    make    them    tremble. 
Key  Word:      Jehovah's  presence,  v.  7. 
Strong  Verses:      7. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTEEN 

Contents:  Indignation  against  the  makers  and  worshippers  of  idols  and  exhor- 
tation to  trust  in  God. 

Characters:      God,  house  of  Aaron,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  creatures  of  men's  vain  imaginations  and  the  works  of  men's 
hands  have  no  divinity  in  them  and  to  worship  such  things  is  the  heighth  of 
absurdity.  It  is  wisdom  to  trust  in  the  living  God  who  proves  Himself 
the  help  and  shield  to  all  who  humbly  put  their  confidence  in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Idols,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  12. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Thanksgiving  for  the  many  gracious  deliverances  God  had  wrought. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  experiences  we  have  had  of  God's  goodness  in  answer  to 
prayer  are  great  encouragements  to  us  to  continue  praying  and  should 
cause  us  to  praise  Him  continually. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  benefits,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  A  psalm  of  thanksgiving  in  the  person  of  Christ.  He  pro- 
claims the  mercies  He  experiences  from  His  Father  in  the  days  of  His 
incarnation  and  the  glories  He  has  received  in  the  Kingdom  above. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN 
Contents:      A  solemn  call  to  the  nations  to  praise  God. 
Characters:      God. 
Conclusion:      The  Lord  is  kind  to  us  as  His  creatures  and  merciful  to  us  as 

sinners,  therefore  praise  is  due  Him  from  all  peoples. 
Key  Word,      Praise,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      2. 
Striking  Facts:      In  Jesus  Christ  God  has  shown  to  the  world  mercy  mixed  with 

kindness   to  the  very  highest   degree.      The   tidings  of  His  gospel  to   all 

nations  should  cause  them  to  glorify  God. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Cheerful  acknowledgement  of  God's  goodness  and  dependence  upon 
that  goodness  for  the  future. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  Never  failing  streams  of  mercy  flow  from  our  God.  The  more 
our  hearts  are  impressed  with  the  sense  of  His  goodness,  the  more  we 
are  bound  to  praise  Him  and  the  more  our  hearts  will  be  enlarged  in  all 
manner  of  obedience. 

Key  Word:      Thanks,  vv.  1,  29. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  8  (middle  verse  of  Bible). 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  tried  stone,  elect,  precious,  which 
God  Himself  appointed.  While  the  Jews  could  not  see  the  excellence  in 
Him  that  they  should  build  upon  Him,  in  raising  Him  from  the  dead  God 


Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Six  PSALMS 

made  Him  the  headstone  of  the  corner,  the  foundation  of  the  church.  To 
the  rejector  He  is  now  a  stumbling  stone.  At  His  second  coming  He  is  the 
stone  cut  out  without  hands  which  is  to  fall  upon  and  crush  the  unbeliev- 
ing nations. 

CHAPTEN  ONE  HUNDRED  NINETEEN 

Contents:  The  excellency  and  usefulness  of  the  divine  revelation  set  forth 
and  exhortation  to  all  to  make  it  their  meditation  and  to  be  governed 
by  it. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Great  blessing  belongs  to  those  who  read  and  understand  the 
Word  of  God,  and  more  blessed  is  the  man  whose  life  is  the  practical 
transcript  of  the  will  of  God  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures. 

Key  Word:      The  Word,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  18,  27,  89,  105,  130,  160,  165. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  99.  The  disciples  of  Christ  who  sit  at  His  feet  and  let 
Him  interpret  the  Word  to  them  are  often  better  skilled  in  divine  things 
than  the  doctors  of  divinity.  The  best  way  to  find  "the  wondrous  things" 
is  to  saturate  the  study  of  the  Word  in  prayer  (v.  18)  which  makes  it 
possible  for  Christ  to  speak  to  us  out  of  the  Word,  through  the  Holy 
Spirit.  John  16:13,  14. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY 

Contents:      Prayer   for   deliverance   from   the   mischief   designed   by   false   and 

malicious  tongues. 
Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 
Conclusion:      It  is  often  the  lot  of  the  innocent  that  there  are  those  who  carry 

on  malicious  designs  against  them  under  the  color  of  friendship.     In  such 

distresses  we  always  have  recourse  to  God,  who,  being  the  God  of  Truth, 

will   certainly  be  the  protection  of  His  people   from   lying  lips  and  will 

baffle  the  enemy  at  last. 
Key  Word:      Lying  lips,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      1. 
Striking  Facts:      David  is  herein  a  type  of  Christ  who  was  greatly  distressed 

by  lying  lips  and  deceitful  tongues,  and  found  sufficient  grace  to  bear  in 

silence  by  waiting  upon  His  heavenly  Father. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      The  guardian  care  of  the  Lord  and  the  peace  of  His  house. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  The  Christian  may  stay  himself  upon  Jehovah  as  a  God  of  power, 
a  God  all-sufficient  for  us.  Our  safety  is  in  putting  ourselves  under  His 
protection. 

Key  Word:      Keeper,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  Help  cometh  (lit)  "from  before  the  Lord."  This  sug- 
gests Christ  incarnate  through  whom  God  has  made  Himself  our  help  and 
who  helps  us  constantly  by  His  intercession  at  God's  right  hand. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Prayer  for  the  welfare  of  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  When  peace  comes  to  Jerusalem  there  will  be  peace  for  all  the 
world,  therefore  the  saints  should  earnestly  pray  for  it. 

Key  Word:      Peace  of  Jerusalem,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  The  thought  of  God  reigning  in  the  Son  of  David,  aveng- 
ing the  just  cause,  is  cheering  for  disconsolate  hearts.  Christ's  throne 
is  set  and  truth  and  righteousness  shall  be  manifested  on  tne  throne  with 
the  King  when  He  comes. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Expectation  of  mercy  from  God  in  the  day  of  contempt. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:      When  man's  eyes  are  toward  God,  he  will  always  see  God's  mercj 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Seven 

coming  toward  him.     He  who  dwells  in  heaven  beholds  all  the  calamities 
of  His  people  and  thence  will  send  to  save  all  trusting  ones. 

Key  Word:      Mercy,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:    •  1. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      David  gives  to  God  the  glory  of  the  deliverances  of  His  people. 

Characters:      God,  Israel. 

Conclusion:  God  sometimes  suffers  the  enemies  of  His  people  to  prevail  very 
far  against  them,  that  His  own  power  may  appear  the  more  illustrious  in 
their  deliverance.  Happy  be  the  people  whose  God  is  Jehovah  and  who 
commit  themselves  to  His  keeping. 

Key  Word:      Our  help,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      The   security   of    God's   people   because    of   His    promises,    and    the 

jeopardy  of  the  wicked. 
Characters:      God,  Israel. 
Conclusion:      There  is  no  gap  in  the  hedge  of  God's  protection  which  He  makes 

round  about  His  trusting  people.     The  happiness  of  God's  people  will  be 

the  vexation  of  those  who  perish  in  their  wickedness. 
Key  Word:      Security,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      1. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Thanksfulness  for  deliverance  from  captivity. 

Characters:      God,  Zion. 

Conclusion:  The  long  want  of  mercies  greatly  sweetens  them  when  they  are 
returned  to  us.  When  God  appears  for  His  people  they  should  give  Him 
the  glory  and  give  notice  to  all  about  them  what  wonders  He  has  wrought 
for  them. 

Key  Word:      Deliverance,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  5.  6. 

Striking  Facts:  The  return  out  of  captivity  may  be  taken  as  typical  of  the 
sinner's  redemption  by  Christ.  Surely  He  has  done  great  things  for  us, 
whereof  we  should  be  glad  and  should  give  Him  glory  continually. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  The  vanity  of  worldly  care  and  the  wisdom  of  dependence  on  God 
for  all  things  in  the  home. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  best  designed  home  will  be  a  failure  unless  God  crowns  it 
with  His  favor.  He  would  have  us  keep  our  eyes  upon  Him  in  all  the 
affairs  of  the  family  that  we  might  avoid  excessive  care.  He  would  have 
us  realize  that  our  children  are  a  trust  from  Him  and  will  be  most  our 
honor  and  comfort  if  they  are  dedicated  to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Home,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2,  3. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  The  prosperity  of  those  who  live  in  the  fear  of  God  and  in  obedi- 
ence to  Him. 

Characters:      God,  Israel. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  are  truly  holy  are  truly  happy.  Those  may  be 
assured  of  a  prosperous  and  happy  life  who  walk  in  reverence  of  God  and 
evidence  it  by  constant  conformity  to  His  will. 

Key  Word:      Prosperity,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Prayer  for  destruction  of  all  the  enemies  of  Zion. 

Characters:      God,  Israel. 

Conclusion:  God  has  many  ways  of  disabling  men  to  do  their  mischief  against 
His  people  and  of  bringing  their  counsels  to  naught.  He  is  righteous 
in  allowing  His  saints  for  a  time  to  be  afflicted  and  He  is  righteous  in 
reckoning  with  all  persecutors  in  the  end. 


Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Eight  PSALMS 

Key  Word:      The  wicked,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  The  sufferings  of  Christ  were  a  prophecy  of  what  His 
church  would  be  called  upon  to  endure  for  His  sake.  The- true  church  has 
ever  had  fellowship  with  Him  under  His  cruel  flagellations. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY 

Contents:      The  Psalmist's  desire  toward  God  and  his  repentance  before  God. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  cry  to  God  out  of  a  sincere  heart  when  they  are  in 
the  depths  of  despair  will  soon  sing  of  His  mercy  in  the  heights  of  His 
love. 

Key  Word:      Supplication,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  5,  6. 

Striking  Facts:  There  is  but  one  solution  to  the  sin  question  since  all  our 
transgressions  are  recorded.  God  has  provided  a  sacrifice — Christ,  through 
whom  there  is  redemption  for  all.  Our  transgressions  will  not  be  acted 
upon  if  we  are  in  Christ,  since  He  has  borne  the  penalty  for  us. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      The  lowliness  and  humility  of  a  sanctified  heart. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  love  of  God  reigning  in  the  heart  will  subdue  all  inordinate 
self  love.  To  know  God  and  our  duty  toward  Him  is  the  highest  learning 
to  be  had  in  this  world. 

Key  Word:      Humility,  v.  1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  Lord  Jesus  teaches  us  humility  by  this  same  com- 
parison. Matt.  18:3.  We  must  become,  not  childish,  but  as  little  children, 
childlike  in  our  confidence  toward  God. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      A  pleading  of  the  divine  covenant  and  its  promises. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  the  immutable  promises  of  God  for  their  founda- 
tion stand  upon  a  sure  rock.  God  has  given  us  His  promises  that  our 
faith  might  have  strong  confidence  at  all  times,  and  that  we  might  know 
that  His  Annointed  will  sit  upon  the  throne  of  earth  to  reign  eternally. 

Key  Word:      Remember  David,  vv.  1,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Peter  applies  this  to  Christ  and  tells  us  that  David 
himself  so  understood  it.  Acts  2:30.  Christ  fulfilled  all  the  conditions 
and  the  Father  has  given  Him  the  throne  of  his  father  David.  Luke  1:32. 
He  is  now  at  the  right  hand  of  His  Father's  throne  and  when  the  fullness 
of  the  Gentiles  is  gathered  in,  the  promise  of  the  Davidic  throne  will  be 
made  good,  and  He  will  come  to  reign  over  all.  The  saints  shall  sit  with 
Him  upon  this  eternal  throne.  Rev.  3:21. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  happiness  of  brotherly  love. 

Characters:      God,    Aaron. 

Conclusion:  To  live  together  in  peace,  love,  concord  and  mutual  agreement, 
not  only  in  occasional  meetings,  but  all  through  the  course  of  our  lives, 
is  indeed  a  great  blessing  and  is  very  pleasing  to  our  heavenly  Father. 

Key  Word:      Unity,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

Striking  Facts:  The  finest  unity  is  that  which  the  saints  have  in  Christ.  John 
17:21.  If  we  are  in  tune  with  Christ,  we  will  be  in  tune  with  all  His. 
While  there  may  not  always  be  oneness  of  view,  there  can  always  be  one- 
ness of  spirit  and  object  in  Christ. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Exhortation  to,   and  prayer   for,   those  who  are   constantly   minis- 
tering before  the  Lord. 
Characters:      God,   night  watchers. 

Conclusion:  Even  by  night,  God's  servants  are  under  His  eye  and  have  access 
to  Him.  Let  them  therefore  bless  the  Lord,  that  spiritual  blessings  out 
of  Zion  might  come  upon  them. 


PSALMS  Page  One  Hundred  Thirty-Nine 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-FIVE 

Key  Ward:      Bless  the  Lord,  v.  1. 

Contents:      A  call  to  the  servants  of  God  to  praise  Him  for  His  mighty  works. 

Characters:      God,  Pharaoh,  Sihon,  Og,  house  of  Aaron,  house  of  Levi. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  is  great  indeed,  who  knows  no  limits  of  time  or  place, 
who  works  in  all  the  universe  as  He  pleases.  His  name  should  endure 
forever  in  the  constant  and  everlasting  praises  of  His  people. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  greatness,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      6   13. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      Call  to  praise  God  as  the  great  Benefactor  of  the  whole  creation. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:      We  should  give  thanks  to  God,  not  only  for  the  mercies  which 

are  handed  out  to  us  here  on  earth,  but  for  that  which  endures  forever  ir 

the  glories  and  joys  of  heaven  to  follow  this  life. 
Key  Word:      Everlasting  mercy,  v.   1. 
Strong  Verses:      26. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.   23-24.      In  our  lost  estate,   God  has  extended  His  great 

mercy  toward  us  in  the  gift  of  His  Son  to  redeem  us  from  sin,  death  and 

hell  and  save  us  from  all  spiritual  enemies. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Lamentation  over  the  sad  condition  of  God's  people  in  captivity. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  are  glad  at  the  calamities  that  sometimes  in  God's 

providence  come  to  His  people,   shall  not  go   unpunished,   for  those  who 

mock  their  grief  shall  endure  eternal  grief. 
Key  Word:      Captivity,  v.   3. 
Strong  Verses:      4. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Thankfulness   for   the   experience    of    God's    goodness. 

Characters:      God,    David. 

Concluson:  Praising  God  is  work  of  which  the  greatest  of  men  need  not  be 
ashamed.  A  debt  of  gratitude  is  due  Him  for  the  wonders  of  His 
grace,  the  revelation  of  His  Word,  and  the  confidence  derived  from  the 
promises  that  there  is  no  experience  that  can  overwhelm  us  if  we  look 
toward  Him. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  loving  kindness,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   6,   7,   8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  Christ  is  the  essential  Word,  John  1:1.  He  and  His 
gospel  are  magnified  above  all  the  discoveries  God  had  made  of  Himself 
to  the  fathers. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:  Meditation  upon  the  doctrines  of  God's  omniscience  and  omni- 
presence. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  The  God  with  whom  we  have  to  do  has  a  perfect  knowledge  of 
us  and  all  the  motions  and  actions,  both  of  our  outward  and  inward  man. 
We  should  therefore  desire  of  Him  that  when  He  sees  sin  in  our  hearts, 
He  might  discover  it  to  us  that  we  might  walk  in  the  perfect  enjoyment 
of  His  presence. 

Key  Word:      Omnipresence,  v.   7. 

Strong  Verses:      17,    23,    24. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  No  one  can  escape  the  all-pervading  Being  and  observa- 
tion of  the  Holy  Spirit.  We  are,  whether  we  will  it  or  not,  as  near  to 
God  as  our  soul  is  to  our  body,  for  the  Holy  Spirit  dwells  within  the 
Christian  (1  Cor.  6:19).  This  makes  it  dreadful  work  to  sin,  for  it  is 
insulting  God  to  His  face. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY 

Contents:      The  malice  of  enemies  and  prayer  for  preservation. 
Characters:      God,  David. 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty  PSALMS 

Conclusion:      Those    are    safe    whom    God    preserves.      In    Him    believers    may 

count  upon  security  against  all  real  enemies. 
Key  Word:      Preservation,  vv.  1,  4. 
Strong   Verses:      7,    12. 
Striking  Facts:      David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  in  that  he  suffered  before  his 

reign  and  was  humbled  before  he  was  exalted.     As  there  were  many  who 

valued  Him,  so  there  were  many  who  hated  Him,  and  those  who  could  not 

agree  in  anything  else  joined  themselves  faithfully  together  to  persecute 

Christ. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-ONE 

Contents:      Prayer  for  God's  favorable  acceptance  and  powerful  assistance. 
Characters:      God,  David. 
Conclusion:      Though  the  snares  be  placed  by  the  enemy  with  ever  so  much 

subtlety,  God  can,  and  will,  secure  His  praying  people  from  being  taken 

in   them. 

Key  Word:      Keeping,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      3,   8. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  2.      Christ  in  the  evening  of  the  world,  offered  up  Himself 

a  sacrifice  that  a  way  of  approach  might  be  made  for  the  believer  into  the 

Holy  of  Holies.      It  was  the  fire  under  the  incense  that  brought  out  its 

sweetness — it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  who  offers  fragrant  prayer  to  God.     Rom. 

8:26-27.      The    fire,    however,    was    from    the    blood-sprinkled    altar,    and 

apart  from  Christ's  atonement,  no  acceptable  prayer  can  be  offered.     Heb. 

10:19-20. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-TWO 

Contents:      The  malice  of  enemies  and  expectation  of  God's  deliverance. 
Characters:      God,  David. 
Conclusion:      There  is  no  cave  so  deep  or  dark  but  that  out  of  it  we  may  send 

up  our  souls  in  prayer  to  God,  with  expectation  of  being  brought  out  of 

all  our  perplexities. 
Key  Word:      Trouble,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      5. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  4.      David  is  here  a  type  of  Christ,  who  in  His  suffering  for 

us  was  forsaken  of  all  men  and  trod  the  winepress  alone. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-THREE 

Contents:  Complaint  of  great  distresses  and  dangers  and  prayer  that  perse- 
cutors might  be  reckoned  with. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  If  we  look  with  earnest  desire  toward  God,  we  need  not  let  our 
heart  be  troubled,  no  matter  what  troubles  we  are  in.  John  14:1. 

Key  Word:      Overwhelmed,  v.   4. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  10. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Acknowledgment  of  the  great  goodness  of  God  and  prayer  for  the 
prosperity  of  the  kingdom. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Happy  is  the  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord,  for  even  when  they 
are  weak,  they  may  be  made  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  His 
might. 

Key  Word:      Our  strength,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   15. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  12-14.  David  as  king  is  here  a  type  of  Christ  who  pro- 
vides effectually  for  the  good  of  His  chosen  and  who  will  remove  every 
hurtful  thing  from  earth  when  He  comes  to  reign. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:      David  engages  himself  and  others  to  praise  God. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Praising  God  should  be  our  daily  work,  for  God  is  every  day 
blessing  us.  His  greatness  and  goodness  cannot  be  comprehended,  and 
when  we  have  said  what  we  can  in  praising  Him,  there  is  more  to  be  said. 

Key  Word:      Great  goodness,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  8,  14,  16,  18,  19. 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty-One 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-SIX 

Contents:  The  psalmist  engages  himself  to  praise  God  and  exhorts  others  to 
trust  and  praise  Him. 

Characters:      God,  Psalmist. 

Conclusion:  There  should  be  no  exemption  from  the  service  of  praising  God. 
So  long  as  He  lets  us  breathe,  we  should  bless  Him  for  His  goodness  and 
mercy. 

Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   9. 

Striking  Facts:  The  psalm  is  very  applicable  to  Christ,  by  whom  God  made 
the  world;  who  caused  the  blind  to  receive  their  sight  and  the  lame  to 
walk;  He  will  subvert  all  the  counsels  of  hell  and  earth  that  militate 
against  His  church  and  will  exercise  full  judgment  at  His  coming  again. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  A  call  to  praise  God.  The  greatness  and  condescending  goodness 
of  the  Lord  celebrated. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Praise  is  comely — it  becomes  us  as  reasonable  creatures  on  ac- 
count of  God's  manifest  greatness  and  goodness  in  all  nature  and  much 
more  as  a  people  in  special  covenant  relations  with  Him. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  greatness,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   11. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      A  call  to  all  living  things  to  praise  God. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:      No    place    is   too    high    for    the    praises    of    the    Most    High.      All 

creatures  on  earth  should  also  speak  the  Lord's  praise,  for  He  is  Creator 

and  Preserver;  Maker  and  Ruler. 
Key  Word:      Praise,  v  1. 
Strong  Verses:      13. 
Striking  Facts:      v.    14.      The  blessing  of  nearness  to   God   has  now,   through 

Christ,  come  upon  the  Gentiles.     Those  who  were  afar  off  are  now  made 

nigh  by  His  blood.      Eph.   2:13. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FORTY-NINE 

Contents:      Triumph  in  the  God  of  Israel. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:      Our  praises  of  God  should  flow  from  a  heart  filled  with   delight 

and  triumph  in  His  attributes  and  our  relation  to  Him. 
Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  1. 
Strong   Verses :      4 . 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  7-10.     Our  Lord  Jesus  is  coming  as  King  to  overthrow  all 

evil,   to   display  His  justice  against  evil-doers,   and  with   Him,   the   saints 

shall  judge  the  world. 

CHAPTER  ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTY 

Contents:      The  psalmist  would   fill  all  the  world  with   God's  praises. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:      What  have  we  our  breath  for  but  to  spend  it  in  praising  God  and 

how  can  we  spend  it  better?      Since  we   must  shortly  breathe   our   last, 

while  wr  have  breath,  let  us  praise  the  Lord. 
Key  Word:      Praise,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 
Striking  Facts:     The  first  psalm  began  with  "blessed"  and  ended  with  "blessed." 

The  fruit  of  the  blessedness  of  meditating  on  God's  Word,  is  now  shown  in 

the  last  psalm  which  begins  and  ends   (lit.)   with  "Hallelujah." 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Two  BOOK  OF  PROVERBS 

PROVERBS 


Key  Thought:              Number 

Wisdom 

of  Chapters: 

31 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

9:10                                Wisdom 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Solomon 

Date: 
990  to  995  B. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The  most  intensely  prac- 
C.                  tical  thing  in  the  world 
is  godliness. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Wisdom's  reasoning  with  the  children  of  men  and  the  certain  ruin 
of  those  who  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  Wisdom's  call. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son,  Wisdom,    (Christ). 

Conclusion:  Of  all  things  to  be  known,  the  most  important  is  that  God  is 
to  be  reverenced  and  served,  and  those  know  little  who  do  not  know  this. 
All  true  knowledge  takes  rise  from  reverence  of  God  and  tends  to  it  as  its 
perfection  and  center. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom,   v.    2. 

Strong  Verses:      7,   33. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  It  is  Christ  who  pleads  with  sinners  and  passes  sen- 
tence on  them.  He  calls  Himself  Wisdom,  Luke  7:35.  In  Him  are  hid 
all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge.  He  is  the  center  of  all  divine 
revelation — the  eternal  Word  by  whom  God  speaks  to  men. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  How  wisdom  is  to  be  obtained  and  used.  The  unspeakable  ad- 
vantage of  true  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  God  has  provided  that  those  who  are  sincerely  disposed  to  do 
His  will  shall  have  that  knowledge  and  understanding  necessary  for  them. 
His  wisdom  will  preserve  us  from  men  of  corrupt  principles  whose  busi- 
ness it  is  to  debauch  lives,  and  from  women  of  corrupt  practices. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom,  v.   7. 

Strong  Verses:      6,7,21,22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Wisdom  is  laid  up  for  the  righteous,  in  Christ,  who 
is  made  unto  the  believer,  wisdom  and  knowledge. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      The  power  of  true  wisdom  to  make  men  both  blessed  and  a  blessing. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  have  a  continual  regard  to  God's  precepts  and  put 
themselves  under  divine  guidance  by  acknowledging  God  and  praying  in 
faith  to  Him,  shall  find  health  of  soul,  good  habits  of  body  and  true  suc- 
cess in  life. 

Key  Word:      Favor,  vv.  4,  33. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  6,  11,  26. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  13-14.  In  all  the  wealth  of  the  world  is  not  to  be  found 
a  taste  of  that  transcendant  happiness  which  is  gained  in  Christ,  in  whom 
are  stored  the  treasures  of  wisdom,  which  consist  in  the  knowledge  and 
love  of  God. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Earnest  exhortation  to  the  study  of  true  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  True  wisdom  from  God  is  the  principle  thing.  It  is  that  which 
recommends  us  to  God,  which  beautifies  the  soul,  which  enables  us  to 
answer  the  ends  of  our  creation,  to  live  to  some  good  purpose  in  the 
world  and  which  makes  our  path  brighter  and  brighter  until  we  get  to 
heaven  at  last. 


PROVERBS  Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Three 

Key  Word:      Wisdom  v.  5. 
Strong  Verses:      18,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  18.  The  Christian  walks  in  a  way  of  light.  Christ  is 
their  way  and  Christ  is  the  light.  They  are  guided  by  the  Bible  which  is 
a  light  to  their  feet. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Caution  against  the  sin  of  whoredom. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  We  ought  industriously  to  avoid  everything  that  might  be  an 
occasion  of  the  sin  of  adultery  or  a  step  towards  it,  for  it  is  destructive  of 
all  the  seeds  of  virtue  of  the  soul  and  those  who  are  entangled  in  it  have 
but  a  step  between  them  and  hell. 

Key  Word:      Strange  woman,  v.   3. 

Strong  Verses:      21,   22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  21.  Those  who  practice  adultery  promise  themselves 
secrecy  (Job  24:15).  All  the  workings  of  the  heart  and  all  the  outgoings 
of  the  life  are  wide  open  to  God,  Christ  and  the  Holy  Spirit.  Every 
action  will  be  brought  into  judgment  when  Jesus  comes. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Caution  against  rash  suretiship,  slothfulness,  forwardness,  and 
whoredom. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  Suretiship  is  to  be  avoided,  because  by  it  poverty  and  ruin  are 
often  brought  into  families.  Poverty  and  want  will  certainly  come  upon 
those  who  are  slothful.  The  froward  man  who  devises  mischief  will  surely 
fall  into  mischief.  Adultery  is  to  be  looked  upon  with  utmost  dread  and 
detestation  as  a  sin  that  impoverishes  men,  debauches  their  consciences, 
threatens  death  and  brings  infamy  upon  the  reputation. 

Key  Word:      Warnings   (5:1). 

Strong  Verses:      6,23,32. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Warning  against  all  approaches  to  the  sin  of  adultery. 

Characters:      Solomon,  his  son. 

Conclusion:  The  Word  of  God,  if  used  for  a  defense  and  armor,  will  keep  one 
from  the  strange  woman  and  the  destroying  sin  of  adultery.  Let  the 
Word  therefore  discover  to  us  the  fallacies  of  this  sin  and  suggest  to  us 
the  answers  to  all  its  flatteries. 

Key  Word:      Strange  woman,  v.  5. 

Strong    Verses :      2 . 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents  Praise  of  divine  wisdom.  Christ,  the  Wisdom  of  God,  speaks  to 
men. 

Characters:      God,  Wisdom  (Christ). 

Conclusion:  Right  knowledge  of  the  divine  will  concerning  us  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred above  all  the  wealth  of  this  world,  for  it  brings  favor  with  God, 
and  eternal  life. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom,  v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      35,   36. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  Wisdom  here  is  certainly  more  than  the  personifica- 
tion of  an  attribute  of  God,  or  the  will  of  God,  but  is  a  distinct  representa- 
tion of  Christ.  John  1:1-3;  Col.  1:17. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Wisdom    (Chrst)    and  sin,  as  rivals  for  the  soul  of  man. 

Characters:      God,  Wisdom. 

Conclusion:  Christ  and  sin  are  both  seeking  to  have  the  uppermost  place  in 
the  soul  of  man.  We  are  therefore  concerned  to  put  a  value  upon  our  own 
souls  and  to  sit  down  at  the  rich  feast  provided  at  Wisdom's  table.  There 
is  no  true  wisdom  but  in  the  way  of  Christ  and  there  is  no  true  life  but 
in  the  end  of  His  way. 

Key   Word:      Wisdom. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Four  PROVERBS 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  1-5.  Heaven  is  the  place  where  Wisdom  (Christ)  has 
prepared  many  mansions.  Christ  Himself  is  the  sacrifice  which  has  been 
killed  and  it  is  His  flesh  that  is  meat  indeed.  His  disciples  have  gone  forth 
with  the  invitation  to  the  Gospel  feast,  even  the  simple  being  freely  invited. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The  blessedness  of  the  ways  of  righteousness  and  the  folly  of  the 

ways  of  wickedness. 
Characters:      God  Solomon. 
Conclusion:      The  head   of  the  just  man  will  be   crowned  with   the   blessings 

both  of  God  and  man,  and  they  shall  leave  behind  them  blessed  memories. 

The  wicked  man's  ways  will  turn  out  to  be  his  shame  and  when  his  body 

is  in  the  grave,  his  name  will  be  spoken  only  with  contempt. 
Key  Word:      Wickedness  and  righteousness,  v.   2. 
Strong  Verses:      7,    9,    19,    22,   28. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Proverbs  contrasting  good  and  evil. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  ways  of  righteousness  are  plain  and  safe  and  in  them  we 
may  enjoy  a  holy  security.  The  ways  of  wickedness  are  dangerous  and 
those  who  indulge  themselves  in  sin  are  fitting  themselves  for  destruction. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      24,   25,   30. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good  and   evil. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  In  the  life  of  the  righteous,  there  is  all  true  comfort  and  satis- 
faction and  at  the  end  of  life  there  is  eternal  joy.  The  man  who  devises 
wickedness  is  under  condemnation  and  all  his  triumphing  on  earth  is 
but  for  a  moment. 

Key  Word:      Goodness  and  wickedness,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      21   28. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good  and   evil. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  destruction  of  sinners  is  unavoidable,  for  God's  wrath  pur- 
sues them,  and  whom  God  pursues  is  sure  to  be  overtaken.  The  happiness 
of  the  saints  is  indefeatable,  for  God  has  promised  that  they  shall  be  abun- 
dantly recompensed  for  all  the  good  they  have  done  and  the  ill  they  have 
suffered. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness,  v.   5. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  13. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good   and   evil. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  house  of  the  wicked,  though  built  ever  so  strong  and  high, 
shall  be  brought  to  disgrace  and  at  length  made  extinct.  The  tabernacle 
of  the  upright,  though  moveable  and  despicable  shall,  at  all  events  have 
grace  and  comfort,  and  shall  be  eternally  established. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  12,  16,  26,  27. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good   and   evil. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  course  of  the  wicked  man  is  an  abomination  to  God,  neither 
is  there  any  offering  he  can  make  to  God  that  can  be  accepted,  as  long 
as  the  heart  is  resolved  to  go  on  in  sin.  The  upright  man  is  regarded  as 
the  friend  of  God,  whose  prayer  is  God's  delight,  and  to  whom  He  is  very 
near. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    8,   9,    16,    33. 


PROVERBS  Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Five 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good   and   evil. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  safest  way  in  which  to  travel  is  the  way  of  the  upright,  a 
way  which  God  makes  plain  to  those  who  desire  to  walk  in  it.  We  should 
take  heed  of  deceiving  ourselves  by  resting  in  that  which  seems  right,  but 
is  not  really  so. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  7,  8,  18,  25,  31,  32. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  God  makes  no  man  wicked,  but  He  made  those  whom 
He  foreknew  would  be  wicked  of  their  own  choice,  because  He  knew  how 
to  get  glory  to  Himself  and  honor  upon  them  (Rom.  9:22)  by  the  display 
of  His  grace  in  Christ  Jesus. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good   and   evil. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:      About    the    most    satisfactory    substitute    for    wisdom    is    silence. 

Discretion  of  speech  is  better  than  fluency  of  speech. 
Key  Word:      Wicked   and   unjust,   v.    15. 
Strong  Verses:      3,   13. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good  and   evil. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  only  zone  of  safety  is  the  name  of  the  Lord  which  is  the 
strong  tower  in  which  one  may  find  rest  and  be  fortified  against  the  evil 
one,  if  they  will  but  come  into  it  by  faith  in  God's  Word. 

Key  Word:      Wicked  and  righteous,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      10,   24. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  24.  Christ  is  the  true  friend  to  all  believers,  who  sticks 
closer  than  a  brother.  To  Him  therefore  let  us  show  ourselves  friends. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Proverbs   contrasting   good  and   evil. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:      If  we  keep  God's  Word,  God's  Word  will  keep  us  from  all  things 

that  are  really  hurtful.     Those  who  despise  the  ways  of  His  Word  are  on 

the  high  road  to  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Goodness  and  wickedness,  vv.  16,  28. 
Strong  Verses:      16,    17,    23. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  17.     What  is  given  to  the  poor  out  of  love  for  Christ,  God 

places  to  our  account  as  lent  to  Him.     Jesus  said  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have 

done  it   unto   one   of  the   least  of   these,   my  brethren,   ye   have   done   it 

unto  me." 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions  regarding  the  ways  of  folly. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  Here  in  this  imperfect  state,  'no  person  can  claim  to  be  sinless, 
but  the  just  man,  walking  by  the  rule  of  God's  Word  may  have  the  com- 
fort of  a  good  conscience,  and  his  children  will  fare  the  better  for  his  sake. 

Key  Word:      Counsel,  v  5. 

Strong  Verses:      1,   7,  9,   22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  9.  This  is  a  challenge  to  any  man  in  the  world  to  prove 
himself  sinless.  Only  saints  in  heaven,  who  "have  seen  Him  as  He  is" 
and  been  made  like  Him,  can  say  it.  Though  the  believer,  through  the 
work  of  the  Spirit,  is  pure  from  the  sins  of  many  others,  yet  each  one 
still  has  sins  that  easily  beset  him — sins  of  omission  and  sins  of  commis- 
sion which  they  have  to  continually  confess  in  order  to  maintain  unbroken 
fellowship  with  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 
Characters:      God. 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Six  PROVERBS 

Conclusion:  Those  who  follow  after  righteousness,  shall  find  righteousness, 
honor  and  life. 

Keyword:      Counsel  (20:5). 

Strong  Verses:      3,  13,  21,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  The  sacrifice  which  typified  the  great  sacrifice  of 
Christ,  was  a  divine  institution.  Religious  ceremonies  based  upon  Christ's 
sacrifice  are  pleasing  to  God  when  offered  in  faith  and  repentance,  but 
when  not  backed  by  true  devotion,  are  an  abomination. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters:      God,    Solomon. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  walk  humbly  with  God  in  obedience  to  the  commands 
of  His  Word  and  in  submission  to  the  disposals  of  His  providence,  shall 
find  true  riches,  honor,  comfort  and  long  life  in  this  world,  and  eternal 
life  at  last. 

Key  WTord:      Counsel    (20:5). 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon,   his  son. 

Conclusion:  The  indulgence  of  the  appetites  is  a  sin  that  easily  besets  us. 
We  should  apprehend  ourselves  to  be  in  danger  when  in  the  presence  of 
luxury,  gluttony  and  sensuality,  and  should  restrain  ourselves  from  such 
gratifications,  lest  our  hearts  be  overcharged  with  surfeiting  and  that 
day  come  upon  us  unawares. 

Key  Word:      Instruction,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  23. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon,   his  son. 

Conclusion:  If  wicked  people  prosper,  we  should  not  be  inclined  to  do  as 
they  do,  nor  complain  of  what  God  does  in  His  providence.  They  have 
no  real  happiness  of  heart,  their  prosperity  is  only  for  the  present  and 
there  is  no  good  for  them  in  the  world  to  come.  Let  us  therefore  honor 
and  reverence  God  and  be  dutiful  to  the  government  God  has  set  over  us. 

Key  Word:      Counsel,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      16,   19,   20,   24. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Warnings  and  instructions. 
Characters:  God,  Solomon,  Hezekiah. 
Conclusion:  (Principal  lesson,  vv.  21,  22.)  The  way  to  turn  an  enemy  into 

a  friend  is  to  act  friendly  towards  him.      If  it  does  not  gain  him  it  will 

aggravate  his  sin  and  punishment,  and  will  heap  the  coals  of  God's  wrath 

upon  his  head. 
Key  Word:      Proverbs,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      21,   22. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  1.      Herein  Christ  is  greater  than  Solomon  for  John  21:25 

tells  us  that  if  we  had  on  record  all  the  good  things  that  Christ  said  the 

world  could  not  contain  the  books. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:       (Principal  lesson,  vv.   20-25.)      God  gives  us  two  ears  and  two 

eyes,  but  only  one  tongue.      We  should  therefore  see  and  hear  more  than 

we  speak,  for  we  cannot  recover  our  words. 
Key  Word:      Proverbs,  v.   1    (25:1). 
Strong  Verses:      12,    20,    27. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Warnings  and  instructions. 
Characters:  Solomon,  his  son. 


^ 


PROVERBS  Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Seven 

Conclusion:  (Principal  lesson.)  Use  the  present  time  with  diligence  and 
wisdom  and  presume  not  upon  tomorrow.  We  should  speak  of  the  mor- 
row as  those  who  are  submitted  to  the  will  of  God,  knowing  the  uncer- 
tainty of  one  moment,  except  as  God  allows  it  to  us. 

Key  Word:      Proverbs   (25:1). 

Strong  Verses:      1,  6. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  True  religion  is  true  wisdom,  making  men  wise  in  every  rela- 
tion. Those  who  make  conscience  of  God's  law  will  find  a  security  in  the 
worst  of  times  and  will  always  be  found  vigorously  opposing  sin. 

KeyWord:      Proverbs  (25:1). 

Strong  Verses:      4,  6,  9,  13,  26. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Warnings  and  instructions. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  never  regard  the  Word  of  God  are  an  easy  prey  to 
the  enemy  of  souls.  A  confidence  in  God  and  His  Word  enables  one  to 
look  with  gracious  contempt  upon  the  most  formidable  designs  of  the  devil, 
and  will  keep  one  in  the  way  of  duty,  and  above  the  fear  of  man. 

Key  Word:      Righteous  and  wicked,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  18,  25. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:      The  words  of  Agur. 

Characters:      God,  Agur,  Ithiel,  Ucal. 

Conclusion:  God's  Word  is  sure  and  pure,  and  venturing  our  souls  upon  it, 
we  shall  find  it  a  shield  against  temptations,  a  safe  protection  in  the 
midst  of  greatest  dangers.  God  will  certainly  reckon  with  any  who  pre- 
sume to  add  to  His  Word,  or  advance  anything  in  competition  with  it. 

Key  Word:      Proverbs,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  It  is  God  who  has  gathered  the  winds  in  His  fists  and 
His  name  is  "I  am  that  I  am"  (Ex.  3:14),  a  name  to  be  adored,  not  to  be 
understood.  He  has  a  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  whose  name  was  to  be  called 
"Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mighty  God,  Prince  of  Peace."  By  Him, 
God  made  all  that  was  made,  and  by  Him  He  controls  all  things. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:  Words  of  King  Lemuel  on  the  dangers  of  intemperance  and  the 
worth  of  a  godly  woman. 

Characters:      God,   Lemuel,  his  mother. 

Conclusion:  A  virtuous  woman  who  has  command  of  her  own  spirit,  who 
is  pious  and  industrious,  who  is  firm  for  the  principles  of  God's  Word,  is 
a  rare  prize.  Such  a  one  is  of  unspeakable  worth,  and  he  who  has  such  a 
wife,  should  show  to  her  great  kindness  and  respect,  and  to  God,  thank- 
fulness of  heart. 

Key  Word:      Virtuous  woman,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  30. 

Striking  Facts:  The  scope  of  all  the  various  proverbs  of  this  book  is  one  and 
the  same — to  direct  our  manner  of  life  aright  and  to  point  us  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  is  "made  unto  us  Wisdom  and  Righteousness." 


Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Eight  BOOK  OF  ECCLESIASTES 

ECCLESIASTES 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Vanity  12  2:11  Above  the  Sun 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Apart  from   God,   life  is 

Solomon  980  to  985  B.  C.  full    of    weariness    and 

disappointment. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  The  doctrine  of  the  vanity  of  the  creature,  and  the  impossibility 
of  finding  satisfaction  without  God. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon. 

Conclusion:  All  things,  considered  as  abstract  from  God,  and  apart  from  Him, 
all  worldly  employments  and  enjoyments,  are  vanity  of  vanities,  and  if 
there  were  no  supernatural  method  of  giving  peace  to  the  heart  and 
another  life  to  follow,  were  indeed  made  in  vain. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

Striking  Facts:  All  is  indeed  vanity  if  Christ  is  not  in  the  heart  and  if  there 
be  no  hope  of  eternal  life  through  acceptance  of  Him.  The  things  of  earth 
are  passing  away  and  hence  are  vanity  if  they  be  trusted  in.  There  is  a 
kingdom  coming  in  which  believers  shall  inherit  substance  and  where 
there  is  no  vanity.  Matt.  11:28-29;  1  Cor.  15:19. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Solomon  shows  that  there  is  no  true  happiness  and  satisfaction  to 
be  had  in  mirth,  pleasure  and  the  delights  of  sense. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  True  and  lasting  happiness  and  satisfaction  consist  not  in  mirth, 
the  gratifying  of  appetites,  the  spending  of  money  or  the  getting  of  wis- 
dom. Only  he  who  sets  God  always  before  him  and  employs  himself  for 
God  may  find  heart  rest  in  this  world  and  that  joy  which  He  alone  can 
give. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      26. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  The  mutability  of  all  human  affairs  and  the  unchangeableness  and 
unsearchableness  of  the  divine  counsels. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon. 

Conclusion:  We  live  in  a  world  of  changes.  The  events  of  time  and  the  con- 
ditions of  human  life  are  continually  passing  and  repassing,  yet  every 
change  is  determined  by  the  supreme  power  and  we  should  therefore 
accommodate  ourselves  to  His  purposes.  The  only  true  pleasure  of  life 
is  in  making  good  use  of  the  things  God  has  given  us,  making  ourselves 
serviceable  to  those  about  us. 

Key  Word:      Man's  portion,  v.  22. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  14,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  In  the  midst  of  all  the  inequalities  of  human  affairs 
it  is  a  great  comfort  to  know  that  the  eye  of  faith  can  see  that  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Judge,  stands  before  the  door  and  that  when  He  comes,  He 
will  reward  the  righteous  and  punish  the  pride  and  cruelty  of  oppressors. 
Though  the  day  of  affliction  may  seem  long,  we  may  patiently  wait  His 
coming,  when  there  will  be  an  examination  into  every  purpose  and  every 
work  done  under  the  sun. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Discontent  and  impatience  because  of  the  oppressions  and  iniqui- 
ties of  life. 


ECCLESIASTES  Page  One  Hundred  Forty-Nine 

Characters:      Solomon. 

Conclusion:  The  world  is  full  of  trouble.  By  reason  of  man's  perversity,  he 
is  ever  disturbed  and  perplexed  by  social  conditions  around  him.  If 
Christ  and  the  hope  of  heaven  were  not  taken  into  account,  to  die  as  soon 
as  possible  would  be  desirable. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  For  every  right  work,  the  Christian  is  remembered  by 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  at  His  coming  will  be  rewarded.  Though  he  be  hated 
by  a  neighbor  for  a  right  work,  the  Christian  will  always  be  abounding 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord  knowing  his  labor  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Warnings  against  a  vain  religion.  The  vanity  and  vexation  attend- 
ing the  possession  of  wealth. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  We  should  address  ourselves  to  the  worship  of  God  with  all 
possible  seriousness  and  care,  for  religious  exercises  if  not  rightly  directed, 
may  become  empty  ceremony,  and  we  will  miss  our  end  in  coming  into 
His  presence. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.   10. 

Strong  Verses:      1,   2,    12. 

Striking  Facts:  Those  who  labor  only  for  the  world,  to  fill  their  hands  with 
that  which  they  cannot  take  away,  will  not  only  die  an  uncomfortable 
death,  but  will  miss  the  only  satisfaction  of  life. 

(v.  12.)  The  sleep  of  the  diligent  Christian  is  sweet,  for  having 
spent  his  strength  and  time  in  Christ's  service,  he  can  cheerfully  return  to 
Him  and  repose  in  Him  who  gives  rest.  Matt.  11:28-29. 


CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      The  vanity  of  worldly  wealth  as  pertaining  only  to  the  body. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  Man  deprives  himself  of  the  good  he  might  have  had  of  his 
worldly  possessions  by  not  consecrating  them  to  God.  If  one  does  not 
have  the  will  to  serve  God  with  what  he  has,  God  may  deny  him  the  power 
to  even  serve  himself  with  it. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Those  who  have  ever  so  much,  yet  do  not  know  Christ, 
are  ever  craving.  Wealth  to  a  worldling  is  like  drink  to  one  who  has 
dropsy,  which  only  increases  the  thirst.  Christ  is  the  true  Bread  which 
satisfies;  the  Water  of  life  which  quenches  all  thirst  of  the  soul. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Prudence  recommended  as  a  means  of  avoiding  much  of  the  vanitj 
and  vexation  of  the  world. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      The   best   way   to   save   ourselves   from   the   vexation    which    the 
vanity  of  the  world  creates,  is  to  make  use  of  wisdom,  maintaining  strict 
government  of  the  passions.     Wisdom  is  a  defense   (v.  12). 
ey  Word:      Wisdom,  vv.   11,   19. 

Strong  Verses:      9,29. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Wisdom  recommended  as  an  antidote  against  the  temptations  and 
vexations  arising  from  the  vanity  of  the  world. 

Characters:      God,   Solomon. 

Conclusion:  Heavenly  wisdom  makes  a  man  a  good  man,  emboldening  him 
against  his  adversaries,  their  attempts  and  their  scorn.  It  teaches  him 
that  sentence  is  passed  by  a  righteous  Judge  against  all  evil  works,  even 
though  the  execution  of  sentence  is  long  delayed,  and  that  it  shall  be 
well  in  the  end  with  those  who  fear  God. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  12. 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty  ECCLESIASTES 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  The  universality  of  death  and  the  need  of  minding  the  business  of 
life  and  using  wisdom. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  While  there  is  life  there  is  opportunity  of  preparing  for  death, 
and  since  death  is  certain,  it  is  our  wisdom  to  make  the  best  possible  use 
of  life  while  it  lasts,  cheerfully  taking  our  share  of  life's  enjoyments, 
applying  ourselves  diligently  to  life's  business,  and  being  governed  by 
divine  wisdom  in  all  its  affairs. 

Key  Word:      Vanity,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  Regardless  of  how  the  outward  condition  of  men  may 
seem  to  us,  let  it  be  remembered  that  all  men's  affairs  are  in  God's  hand 
and  that  prosperity  is  not  necessarily  a  sign  of  God's  love  or  affliction  of 
His  hatred.  If  a  man  has  Christ  as  His  Savior,  he  may  be  happy  though 
the  world  frowns  upon  him,  and  if  he  is  without  Christ,  he  may  be  mis- 
erable, though  the  world  smiles  upon  him. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Proverbs  recommending  wisdom  as  of  great  use  for  the  right  order- 
ing of  our  lives. 

Characters:      Solomon. 

Conclusion:  Fools  are  apt,  at  every  turn,  to  proclaim  their  folly,  for  if  one  is 
lacking  in  true  wisdom,  it  cannot  be  concealed.  True  wisdom  is  true 
honor  and  will  gain  a  man  a  reputation  which  is  very  valuable. 

Key  Word:      Wisdom  and  folly,  vv.   6,  10. 

Strong  Verses:      8,    10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  Those  who  profess  to  be  followers  of  Christ,  who  is 
said  to  be  "made  unto  us  wisdom,"  have  need  to  walk  very  circumspectly 
lest  they  be  guilty  of  any  instance  of  folly,  for  many  eyes  are  upon  them. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Exhortation  to  works  of  charity  and  right  living. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:      Since  we  have  death  and  judgment  to  prepare  for,  we  should  do 

good  to  others  and  abound  in  liberality  to  the  poor,  which  will  (if  we  are 

in  Christ)  abound  to  our  account. 
Key  Word:      Give,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   9. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Exhortation  to  the  young  to  be  religious.     The  vanity  of  the  world. 

Characters:      God,  Solomon. 

Conclusion:  The  great  antidote  against  the  diseases  of  youth,  the  love  of 
mirth,  the  indulgence  of  sensual  pleasures,  and  the  vanities  to  which  youth 
is  subject,  is  the  reverence  of  God  reigning  in  the  heart  and  a  respect  to 
His  commandments.  To  reverence  God  is  the  summary  of  religion. 

Key  Word:      Fear  God,  v.   13. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  13,  14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  This  is  on  the  ground  of  law,  not  grace.  To  fear  God 
and  keep  the  commandments  is  the  best  that  man,  apart  from  redemption, 
can  do.  The  Christian,  under  the  Gospel,  has  Christ  living  in  Him  (Gal. 
2:20)  and  his  body  is  a  shrine  of  the  Holy  Ghost  (1  Cor.  6:19). 


BOOK  OF  SONG  OF  SOLOMON  Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-One 

SONG    OF    SOLOMON 

Number  of  Chapters: 


Key  Thought: 

Love 


Key  Verse: 

6:3 


Christ  seen  as: 

Altogether  Lovely 
One 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Solomon 


Date: 

980-985  B.  C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Christ  covets  the  full 
communion  of  His  peo- 
ple and  blessedness 
comes  to  all  who  walk 
in  His  fellowship. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      The   Bride   and   Bridegroom   in   joyful   communion. 
Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 
Conclusion:      Those  who  are  full  of  Christ  earnestly  desire  the  manifestations 

of  His  love  to  their  souls,  with  humble  professions  of  love  to  Him  and 

complacency  in  Him  above  all. 
Key  Word:      Love,  v.  2. 
Strong  Verses:      4. 
Striking   Facts:      The   spiritual   and   larger   interpretation   of   this   book    is   of 

Christ,  the  Son  and  His  heavenly  Bride,  the  Church  (2  Cor.  11:1-4).     The 

Church  is  beautiful  to  Christ  as  Christ  is  beautiful  to  the  Church. 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  The  Bridegroom  speaks  concerning  himself  and  his  Bride.  The 
Bride  speaks  remembering  her  satisfaction  in  her  beloved. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 

Conclusion:  Humble  souls  see  the  most  beauty  in  the  Bridegroom.  To  them 
He  is  the  rose  and'He  is  the  lily,  and  all  excellency  is  in  Him  in  the  highest 
degree.  Those  are  made  like  Him  in  whose  hearts  His  love  is  shed 
abroad. 

Key  Word:      Beloved,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  16. 

Striking  Facts:  Those  whose  hearts  are  filled  with  love  to  Christ  and  the 
hope  of  heaven,  know  best  the  meaning  of  this  chapter — the  rejoicing  in 
Him  and  the  longing  to  see  Him. 


CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  The  Bride  seeking  the  favor  of  the  Bridegroom.  She  calls  upon 
all  to  admire  Him. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 

Conclusion:  Those  who  are  truly  of  the  Bride,  will  evince  the  sincerity  of 
their  love  to  Christ  by  continual  and  solicitous  enquiries  after  Him  and 
will  not  be  satisfied  until  Christ  Himself  is  apprehended  by  faith. 

Key  Word:      My  beloved,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  Under  the  figure  of  Solomon,  his  bed  and  his  guards  about  it 
the  Church  here  admires  Christ,  the  true  Bridegroom.  Solomon  is  used 
as  an  illustrious  type  of  Christ  because  of  his  wisdom  and  wealth  and  the 
fact  that  he  built  the  temple. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  Bridegroom  commends  the  beauty  of  the  Bride  and   delights 

in  her  affection. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 
Conclusion:      Whatever  others  think  of  the  Bride  of  Christ,  she  is  amiable  and 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Two  SONG  OF  SOLOMON 

beautiful  in  His  eyes  because  of  the  comliness  of  grace  which  He  has  put 
upon  her.  All  the  beauty  of  saints  is  derived  from  Him. 

Key  Word:      My  love,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      7    (See  Eph.  5:27). 

Striking  Facts:  The  representations  here  made  of  the  beauty  of  the  Church, 
do  not  represent  external  beauty  but  the  beauty  of  holiness,  the  hidden 
man  of  the  heart  as  seen  by  heaven  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  The  distress  of  the  Bride  because  of  the  temporary  withdrawal  of 
the  groom,  due  to  the  Bride's  neglect. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 

Conclusion:  The  slights  which  careless  souls  put  upon  Christ  are  grievous 
to  Him  and  He  suspends  the  communication  of  His  comfort  to  those  who 
are  remiss  and  drowsy  in  His  service.  The  loss  of  the  sense  of  His  pres- 
ence is  a  matter  of  great  grief  to  the  believer. 

Key  Word:      Beloved  withdrawn,  v.   6. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  6.  Rev.  3:20  describes  the  state  of  the  Church  in  coldness 
toward  Christ.  He  has  knocked  for  entrance,  but  in  their  drowsiness  and 
coldness,  they  have  not  responded.  They  find  themselves  at  last  deserted 
by  Him. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      The  Bridegroom  applauds  the  beauty  of  the  Bride,  preferring  her 

before  all  others. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 
Conclusion:      Christ  takes  delight  in  His   redeemed   and   in   the   workings   of 

His  own  grace  in  them,  notwithstanding  their  weaknesses,  and  though  He 

often  has  to  hide  His  face  temporarily,  yet  He  gathers  them  back  to  His 

heart  when  they  return  to  their  duty,  and  He  always  prefers  His  own  to 

the  best  of  the  unsaved  of  the  world. 
Key  Word:      My  love,  v.   4. 
Strong  Verses:      3. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  3.     Though  Christ  may  have  justly  hid  His  face  from  His 

Bride  for  a  time,  yet  His  covenant  continues  firm,  and  true  believers  may 

always  say,  "I  am  His  and  He  is  mine." 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Further  description  of  the  beauties  of  the  Bride. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 

Conclusion:  The  Bride  of  Christ  bears  the  image  of  the  King  of  Kings  and  in 
the  beauty  of  holiness,  is  beyond  anything  nature  can  reach.  In  answer 
to  the  expressions  of  Christ's  regard  for  His  own,  the  believer  should 
triumph  in  his  relation  to  Him  and  rejoice  in  the  hold  He  has  of  him. 

Key  Word:      Beauty,  v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Those  who  love  Christ  will  go  forth  from  the  amuse- 
ments of  the  world,  contriving  to  attend  upon  Him  without  distraction. 
If  we  keep  our  eyes  upon  Christ,  we  may  have  the  realization  of  His  pres- 
ence with  us  wherever  we  go  (I  walk  with  the  King,  hallelujah!). 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      The    affections    between    the    Bridegroom    and    His    Bride. 

Characters:      Solomon,   Bride    (Christ,   Church). 

Conclusion:  Those  who  are  espoused  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  should  desire  con- 
stant intimacy  and  freedom  with  Him.  Let  us  be  ready  to  own  our  rela- 
tion to  Him  and  affection  for  Him,  never  fearing  being  despised  by  the 
world  for  it. 

Key  Word:      Love,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  "Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus:  come  quickly."  Only 
those  who  can  in  sincerity  call  Christ  their  beloved,  can  desire  Him  to 
hasten  His  second  coming.  Let  believers  long  for  it,  pray  for  it  and  work 
for  it. 


BOOK  OF  ISAIAH 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Three 


Key  Thought: 

Salvation 


ISAIAH 


Number  of  Chapters: 

66 


Key  Verse: 

53:5 


Christ  seen  as : 

Suffering  and  glori- 
fied prophet. 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Isaiah 


Date: 

766  to  679  B.  C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Salvation  is  by  the  grace 
of  God  and  through  the 
vicarious  suffering  of 
Christ. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Charge  against  Israel  for  their  ingratitude  and  degeneration.  Call 
to  repentance  and  reformation. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  The  backslidings  of  those  who  have  professed  relations  to  God 
are  very  provoking  to  Him  and  all  departures  from  Him  and  opposition 
to  Him  are  aggravated  by  the  constant  manifestation  of  His  goodness  and 
mercy  toward  the  backslider.  Those  who  will  break  off  their  allegiance 
with  sin  are  always  welcome  to  come  back  to  fellowship  with  Him. 

Key  Word:      Sinsick,  v.  5. 

Strong   Verses:      18. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  The  costly  devotions  of  those  who  have  not  appre- 
hended Christ,  He  of  whom  the  sacrifices  were  but  a  faint  shadowing,  are 
an  abomination  to  God.  The  ceremonial  observances  were  all  done  away 
by  the  death  of  Christ. 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  The  coming  glory  of  Jerusalem  and  Israel.  The  humbling  of  the 
haughty  and  the  shame  of  sinners  in  that  day. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  In  view  of  the  terribleness  of  that  day  when  Christ  shall  come 
to  shake  the  earth  and  to  judge  among  men,  we  should  shun  the  ways 
of  sin.  In  view  of  the  privilege  the  righteous  have  of  sharing  in  His 
universal  Kingdom,  we  should  seek  to  walk  in  the  light  of  the  Lord  all 
our  days. 

Key  Word:      Last  days,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      11,  22. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  19-21.  Rev.  6:12-17  shows  that  the  reference  here  is 
to  the  time  of  Christ's  return  to  judge  in  terrible  majesty.  Those  who 
do  not  flee  to  Christ  before  that  day  will  flee  from  Him  then.  The 
prophecy  of  this  chapter  relates  entirely  to  Christ's  kingdom,  still  future, 
when  once  more  the  laws  of  God  shall  go  forth  out  of  Zion. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  The  coming  desolations  of  Jerusalem  because  of  sin  and  the  judg- 
ment of  sinners. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  Whatever  evil  befalls  sinners,  it  is  of  their  own  procuring. 
Those  who  provoke  God  make  Him  their  enemy  and  bring  sure  misery 
upon  themselves.  The  greatest  of  men  cannot  secure  themselves  from 
the  sentence  of  the  judgment  day. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  v.  13. 

Strong  Verses:      10,    11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Whatever  becomes  of  an  unrighteous  nation,  those 
who  are  "in  Christ"  will  be  "safe  by  the  blood  of  the  Crucified  One." 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  coming  restoration  of  Jerusalem's  peace  and  purity. 
Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Four  ISAIAH 

Conclusion:  The  issue  of  all  the  troubles  of  this  present  dispensation  is  to  be 
in  happy  days  for  the  righteous,  when  Christ's  kingdom  will  be  set  up 
universally,  and  He  will  be  exalted  as  its  beauty,  glory  and  joy  in  the 
esteem  of  all  the  living. 

Key  Word:      That  day,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  "Branch"  is  a  name  used  of  Christ,  because  He  was 
planted  by  God's  power  and  nourishes  to  His  praise. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Parable  of  Jehovah's  vineyard  and  the  six  woes  upon  Israel. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  God  expects  vineyard  fruit  from  those  who  enjoy  vineyard  priv- 
ileges, not  the  mere  leaves  of  profession,  or  the  wild  grapes  of  hypocrit- 
ical performances  in  religion.  God  will  deny  His  grace  to  those  who 
have  long  received  it  in  vain.  The  curse  of  barrenness  is  the  punishment 
of  the  sin  of  barrenness. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      20,21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Some  believe  Christ  thought  these  words  when  He 
beheld  Jerusalem  and  wept  over  it  (Luke  19:41),  and  had  reference  to 
it  in  the  parable  of  the  vineyard.  Matt.  21:33. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Isaiah's  transforming  vision  and  his  new  commission. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  are  to  teach  others  the  knowledge  of  God  must 
themselves  have  the  vision  of  God.  Those  are  fittest  to  be  employed  for 
Him  who,  having  heard  His  voice,  have  been  humbled  before  Him  in  the 
sense  of  their  own  vileness  and  are  made  deeply  sensible  of  their  own 
weakness. 

Key  Word:      Vision,  v.   5. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  9-10.  These  verses  are  referred  to  six  times  in  the  N.  T. 
It  pictures  the  attitude  of  the  Jews  especially  toward  Christ,  a  condition 
which  still  remains  with  them,  and  with  all  who  wilfully  reject  Him. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Evil  confederacy  of  Rezin  and  Jekah.  The  -sign  of  the  Virgin's 
Son.  Prediction  of  impending  invasion  of  Judah. 

Characters:      God,   Christ,   Ahaz,   Rezin,   Pekah,   Isaiah,   Shear- jashub. 

Conclusion:  The  sin  of  a  land  is  sure  to  bring  foreign  invasion  and  all  kinds 
of  trouble,  but  to  those  who  will  trust  Him,  God  sends  seasonable  com- 
forts, and  the  strongest  consolations  in  times  of  trouble  are  those  which 
come  from  expectation  of  and  from  Christ. 

Key  Word:      Sign,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      14. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  The  Virgin's  Son,  Immanuel,  God  with  us,  was  ful- 
filled in  Jesus.  Matt.  1:21-25.  If  He  had  not  been  Immanuel,  God  with 
us,  He  could  not  have  been  Jesus  (A  Savior). 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Predictions  of  the  Syrian  invasion  and  of  the  desolations  of  Judah 
and  Israel. 

Characters:  God,  Israel,  Uriah,  Zechariah,  Maher,  Shalal-hash-baz,  Rezin, 
sons  of  Remaliah. 

Conclusion:  If  a  nation  insists  on  rejecting  God's  counsels,  it  is  just  with  God 
to  apply  the  scourge.  However  in  the  deluge  of  trouble  that  may  come  to 
a  nation,  God  will  keep  the  heads  of  His  trusting  people  above  water,  if 
they  will  make  His  statutes,  rather  than  those  having  familiar  spirits, 
their  counsellors. 

Key  Word:      Trouble  and  darkness,  v.  22. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  10,  19,  20. 


I 


\J\JU.V 

Char 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Five 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  When  Israel  rejected  Christ,  He  became  to  them  a 
stone  of  stumbling.  This  passage  is  quoted  in  application  to  all  those 
who  persist  in  their  unbelief  of  the  Gospel  (1  Pet.  2:8).  Being  dis- 
obedient to  God's  Word,  men  stumble  at  it. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  A  divine  child,  the  only  hope  of  Israel.  Vision  of  the  outstretched 
hand.  The  unavailing  chastisement. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Isaiah,   Rezin. 

Conclusion:  In  the  worst  of  times,  God's  people  have  a  "nevertheless"  to  com- 
fort them  (v.  1)  and  balance  their  troubles.  As  the  saints  then  comforted 
themselves  with  the  hope  of  Christ's  first  coming,  so  now  His  second 
coming  is  the  great  hope  of  every  dark  day. 

Key  Word:      Great  light,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   7. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  6-7.  Christ  was  Wonderful  in  His  earthly  ministry  (Luke 
24:19);  is  Counsellor  in  His  priestly  service  (1  John  2:1);  will  be  Mighty 
God  in  His  coming  manifestation  (Psa.  45:36);  Everlasting  Father  in  His 
ultimate  relation  (Prov.  8:23);  Prince  of  Peace  in  His  kingdom  (Acts 
10:36). 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      The  commission  to  invade  Judah  and  its  execution.     Threatening 
of  the  invaders  ruin  after  serving   God's   purpose.     New   encouragement 
given  to  God's  people. 
•acters:      God. 

Conclusion:  God  sometimes  makes  an  idolatrous  nation  that  serves  Him  not 
at  all,  a  scourge  to  a  hypocritical  nation  that  serves  Him  not  in  sincerity 
and  truth.  Yet  when  God  has  done  His  work  through  the  idolatrous 
nation,  He  will  certainly  do  His  work  upon  them  and  their  day  will  come 
to  fall  because  they  have  not  had  God  in  all  their  thoughts. 

Key  Word:      Indignation,  v.   25. 

Strong   Verses:      33. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Prophecy  of  the   Davidic  Kingdom  and   restoration   of   Israel. 

Characters:      Christ,  Holy  Spirit. 

Conclusion:  The  great  comfort  in  days  of  distress  is  the  hope  of  the  coming 
universal  kingdom  of  righteousness  and  peace,  when  Christ,  who  is  in 
every  way  qualified  to  be  King  of  earth,  shall  take  the  throne.  Then  God's 
people  shall  be  delivered,  not  only  from  evil,  but  from  the  fear  of  it 
forever. 

Key  Word:      Kingdom. 

Strong  Verses:      4,   5,   9. 

Striking  Facts:  Nothing  of  this  chapter  occurred  at  Christ's  first  coming. 
Israel  was  then  dispersed  and  Christ  was  killed.  The  Messiah-King  was 
then  rejected,  but  His  earth-kingdom  will  be  set  up  when  He  returns 
in  glory.  Luke  1:31-32;  Acts  13:15-16. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      The  worship  of  the  coming  Kingdom. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:      When    Jesus    comes   to    set    up    His    Kingdom,    God's    regathered 

people  Israel  and  all  the  redeemed,  shall  as  one  man,  with  one  mind  and 

mouth,  praise  Him,  who  is  One  and  His  name  one. 
Key  Word:      Joy,  v.  3. 
Strong  Verses:      2,   3. 
Striking  Facts:      The  Christian  does  not  have  to  wait  until  the  Kingdom  is  set 

up  to  joy  in  His  praises,  for  by  Jesus  Christ,  the  root  of  Jesse,  God's  anger 

has  been  turned  away,  and  the  believer  can  say  "He  is  my  peace." 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Prophecy  concerning   last   days,   when   punishment  will   be   visited 

upon  the  nations,  and  Israel  shall  pass  through  the  Great  Tribulation. 
Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 
Conclusion:      Men  have  their  day  now,  and  many  think  to  carry  the  day,  but 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Six  ISAIAH 

God's  day  is  coming,  and  His  day  of  reckoning  will  be  cruel  with  wrath 
and  fierce  anger. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  the  Lord  (vv.  6,  9)    (fierce  anger,  v.  13). 

Strong  Verses:      9,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  The  chapter  looks  forward  to  the  apocalyptic  judgments. 
(Rev.  6  to  13)  Babylon  has  never  yet  been  destroyed  in  the  way  here 
foretold,  and  many  believe  Babylon  will  in  the  last  day  be  rebuilt,  and 
the  everlasting  destruction  here  predicted  will  then  fall  upon  it. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:  Christ's  Kingdom  set  up  on  earth  with  Israel  restored,  the  Beast 
of  hell.  Satan's  fall  and  doom.  Babylon's  final  judgment. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  It  is  the  comfort  of  God's  people  that  God  has  purposed  through 
the  exaltation  of  His  Son  to  set  up  a  righteous  and  eternal  Kingdom  on 
earth,  when  Israel  shall  have  rest  from  their  wanderings  and  the  days  of 
affliction  of  all  His  people  shall  have  an  end  forever.  The  rod  of  the 
wicked  shall  be  broken,  and  Satan  and  all  his  followers  shall  be  cast  into 
hell. 

Key  Word:      Rest,   v.    7. 

Strong  Verses:      7,   27. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  12-14.  This  is  a  reference  to  Satan,  the  real,  though 
unseen  ruler  of  successive  world  powers.  This  tells  the  story  of  the 
beginning  of  sin  in  the  universe.  The  universal  catastrophe  here  predicted 
has  never  occurred  and  has  to  do  with  the  close  of  the  times  of  the 
Gentiles  and  the  setting  up  of  Christ's  Kingdom. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      The    burden    of    Moab.      Prophecy    of    great    desolations    upon    the 

earth. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 
Conclusion:      Great  and  dismal  changes  may  in  the  providence  of  God  be  made 

within  a  very  short  time.      Let  us  therefore  live  as  those  who  know  not 

what  an  hour  may  bring  forth. 
Key  Word:      Desolation,  v.  6. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Women  of  Moab  anticipate  the  Davidic  Kingdom  and  lament  the 

pride  of  Moab. 
Characters :      God. 
Conclusion:      Those  who  will  not  yield  to  the  fear  of   God,   will  be  made  to 

yield  to  the  fear  of  everything  else. 
Key  Word:      Stricken,  v.   7. 
Strong  Verses:      5. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  5.      Though  the  thrones  of  earth  be  overturned,  the  throne 

of  David  will  surely  be  established  in  mercy  and  Christ  will  sit  upon  it 

and  will  be  a  protector  to  all  who  have  been  a  shelter  to  the  people  of  God. 

(Especially  Israel.) 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      The  burden  of  Damascus,  foretelling  destruction  of  cities  of  Syria 

and  Israel. 
Characters:      God. 
Conclusion:      The  God  of  our  salvation  is  the  rock  of  our  strength.      It  is  our 

forgetfulness  of  Him  that  is  at  the  bottom  of  all  sin,   and  brings  great 

calamities  upon  us. 
KeyWord:  Woe,  v.  12. 
Strong  Verses:  7,  8,  12,  13. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Woe  of  the  land  beyond  the  rivers  of  Ethiopia,  in  the  day  of 
Israel's  regathering. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Though  God's  covenant  people  are  trampled  on  as  a  nation,  scat- 
tered and  abused,  no  nation,  however  formidable,  will  be  able  to  swallow 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Seven 

them   up.     Though   they   are   cast   down,   they  are   not   utterly   forgotten 
of   God. 
Key  Word:      Woe,  v.    1. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:  Burden  of  Egypt,  looking  forward,  through  desolations,  to  King- 
dom blessing  with  Israel. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  barbarous  usage  which  the  enemies  of  God  have  given  His 
people,  even  of  long  ago,  will  be  remembered  against  them  and  they  will 
be  paid  in  their  own  coin.  Let  not  the  bold  be  secure,  for  God  can  easily 
cut  off  their  spirit  and  bring  their  land  to  nothing. 

Key  Word:      Egypt,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Savior  and  the  Great  One  here 
spoken  of,  who  will  eventually  bring  about  the  conversion  of  such  perverse 
nations  as  Egypt.  At  His  coming,  they  will  receive  the  light  and  submit 
themselves  to  His  rule. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:      Prophecy  of  the  wasting  of  Egypt  and  Ethiopia  by  Assyria. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah,  Tartan,  Sargon. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  make  the  creature  their  expectation  and  glory  and 
so  put  it  in  the  place  of  God,  will  sooner  or  later  be  brought  to  shame 
for  it  and  will  be  utterly  disappointed  in  creature  confidences. 

Key  Word:      Shame,  v.  5. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  This  would  be  a  great  hardship  upon  God's  servant,  ex- 
posing him  to  ridicule  and  endangering  his  health.  When  we  are  doing 
as  God  commands,  however  foolish  it  may  seem,  we  may  trust  Him  with 
our  credit  and  safety. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Four   burdens   anticipating    Sennacherib's    invasion. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:      Neither  the  skill  of  archers  nor  the  courage  of  mighty  men  can 

protect  a  people  from  the  judgments  of  God. 
Key  Word:      Grievous  vision,  v.   2. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:  The  burden  of  the  valley  of  vision,  telling  of  coming  grievous 
distress. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah,  Elam,  Kir,  Shebna,  Eliakim. 

Conclusion:  When  God  threatens  His  people  with  judgment,  He  expects  and 
requires  that  they  will  humble  themselves  under  His  mighty  hand,  and  if 
they  do  not  do  so,  His  judgments  will  follow  them  to  the  grave. 

Key  Word:      Treading  down,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  22-23.  Jesus  Christ  describes  His  own  power  as  Mediator 
by  allusion  to  this.  (Rev.  3:7)  He  has  the  key  of  David.  He  opens  and 
no  man  shuts.  He  shuts  and  no  man  opens.  He  is  also  a  nail  in  a  sure 
place.  His  Kingdom  cannot  be  shaken,  and  He  Himself  is  "the  same  yes- 
terday, today  and  forever." 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Burden   of   Tyre.      Desolations   preceding   the    final    deliverance    of 

Israel. 

Characters:      God. 
Conclusion:      The  proud  boasts  of  worldly  nations,  who  bid  defiance  to  their 

neighbors,  will  surely  be  silenced  by  the  judgments  of  God  in  due  time. 

Pomp  and  splendor  are  no  guarantee  against  Him  judgments. 
Key  Word:      Contempt,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      9. 


Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Eight  ISAIAH 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Looking  through  national  troubles  to  the  Kingdom  age.  The  com- 
ing tribulation  for  the  Jews,  destruction  of  Gentile  powers  and  opening 
of  the  Kingdom. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Earth,  polluted  by  the  sins  of  men,  will  at  last  be  made  utterly 
desolate  and  'empty  by  the  judgments  of  God.  Satanic  hosts  and  anti- 
Christian  world  powers  will  be  cast  into  the  pit.  Then  it  shall  appear 
that  Jehovah  is  King  above  all  and  He  shall  reign  gloriously  in  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Dissolved,  v.  19. 

Strong  Verses:      4,21,23. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  23.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  appear  as  King  and  Judge 
in  that  day  and  the  earth  shall  shine  forth  in  His  glory.  Rev.  21:2,  3. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Triumphs  of  the  coming  Kingdom  age. 

Characters:      God,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  God  should  be  exalted  by  His  people  for  the  wonderful  things  He 
has  done,  and  is  to  do,  according  to  His  promises,  for  these  are  proofs 
of  His  power  beyond  what  any  creature  could  perform,  and  of  His*  good- 
ness, beyond  what  such  sinful  creatures  could  expect. 

Key  Word:      Wonderful  things,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  This  chapter  looks  forward  to  the  coming  glorious  Kingdom 
of  Christ  when  all  evil  shall  be  put  down,  death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in 
victory  and  all  tears  wiped  away.  Then  indeed,  His- saints  will  exalt  Him 
for  His  wonderful  works  and  for  fulfilling  all  His  counsels. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:  Worship  and  testimony  of  restored  and  converted  Israel  in  the 
Kingdom  age. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  Israel,  banished  and  driven  out  by  the  iniquity  of 
the  former  times  will  yet  be  restored  as  a  nation  to  God's  favor.  When 
the  Deliverer  comes  out  of  Zion,  they  will  join  in  the  song  of  all  the 
redeemed,  rejoicing  that  the  days  of  distress  are  over  and  that  God  has 
ordained  peace  on  earth  forever. 

Strong  Verses:      3,   4,   12,   21. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  21.  The  Father  has  given  to  Jesus  Christ  authority  to 
execute  judgment  because  He  is  the  Son  of  Man.  John  5:27.  At  His  com- 
ing, at  the  close  of  the  Great  Tribulation,  the  blood  of  thousands  of 
martyrs  will  be  brought  to  light  and  to  account. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Punishment  of  the  proud  enemy  of  God's  people.  Israel  restored 
and  fruitful. 

Characters:      God,  serpent,  dragon. 

Conclusion:  When  the  Lord  comes  to  punish  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  He 
will  first  of  all  punish  the  serpent,  and  his  proud  oppressing  tyrants.  In 
that  day  the  sins  of  Israel  will  be  purged  and  they  will  again  bring  forth 
fruit  to  God.  Jerusalem  will  again  be  a  great  center  of  worship,  when 
out  of  all  countries  Israel  shall  be  led  forth  by  God's  hand. 

Key  WTord:      Gathered,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Woe  of  Ephriam  due  to  drunkenness.  Prediction  of  Assyrian  cap- 
tivity of  Ephriam.  Ephriam's  fate  a  warning  to  Judah. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  glorious  beauty  and  the  plenty  of  the  land  is  but  a  fading 
flower  to  those  who  indulge  themselves  in  sensuality  and  drunkenness. 
God  will  throw  it  to  the  ground  to  be  broken  in  pieces  with  a  hand  they 
are  powerless  to  oppose  and  will  not  suffer  either  His  providences  or  His 
ordinances  to  be  brought  into  utter  contempt. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  v.  1. 


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ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Fifty-Nine 

Strong  Verses:      5,  16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  16.  This  is  expressly  applied  to  Christ  in  the  N.  T.,  1  Pet. 
2:6-8.  He  is  that  stone  which  has  become  the  head  of  the  corner. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:  Warnings  to  Judah  and  Jerusalem  of  impending  discipline.  The 
blessing  after  the  final  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  David,  Abraham. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  are  formal  and  hypocritical  in  their  exercises  of  devo- 
tion, without  spiritual  vision,  thinking  to  hide  their  counsels  from  the 
Lord,  do  but  invite  His  judgments  upon  themselves. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:       15,  18,  19,  24. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  18,  19.  This  portion  of  the  chapter  looks  forward  to  the 
happy  settlement  of  the  affairs  of  Jerusalem  and  Judah  after  the  second 
coming  of  Christ.  Then  those  who  understood  not  the  prophecies  shall 
see  God's  hand  in  all  events,  and  will  rejoice  in  Him. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:  Warnings  against  alliance  with  Egypt  against  Sennacherib  and 
exhortation  to  turn  to  the  Lord  for  help. 

Characters:      God,  Pharoah. 

Conclusion:  When  sin  has  brought  men  into  distress,  it  is  their  wisdom,  in 
repentance,  to  turn  to  God  for  deliverance,  but  those  who  think  to  prosper 
in  their  sin,  by  the  help  of  man,  add  sin  to  sin  and  invite  worse  disaster 
upon  themselves.  If  we  would  be  saved  from  the  evil  of  every  calamity 
and  secured  from  the  curse  of  it,  we  should  turn  to  Jehovah  and  repose 
in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Shame  and  confusion,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:       15,  18. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:  Judah  again  warned  against  the  Egyptian  alliance.  Jehovah's  de- 
fense of  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  It  is  gross  absurdity  to  forsake  the  Rock  of  Ages  for  broken 
reeds.  If  men  will  not  court  God's  wisdom  and  power  to  act  for  them  in  the 
time  of  danger,  they  will  find  it  to  act  against  them,  though  they  have  the 
strongest  of  men  to  aid  them.  Make  not  man  your  confidence,  for  man 
can  do  nothing  without  God. 

Key  Word:      Trust  in  man,  v.   1. 

Strong    Verses :      1 . 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:  Promise  of  coming  Kingdom.  Warning  of  great  tribulation.  The 
King  Deliverer. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  Wasting  and  desolating  judgment  upon  the  land  and  people  of 
Israel  was  pronounced  because  they  lived  in  pleasure  and  wanton,  ignor- 
ing God's  commands,  and  all  who  set  their  hearts  upon  the  world  will 
meet  like  wretched  disappointment.  It  is  the  comfort  of  the  faithful  few 
that  blessed  times  of  righteousness  and  eternal  rest  are  promised  when 
the  Prince  of  Peace  shall  come  forth  to  reign. 

Key  Word:      Tribulation  and  kingdom,  vv.    10-15. 

Strong  Verses:       1,   17,   18.  + 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  This  Scripture  certainly  looks  forward  to  the  Day  of 
the  Lord  (2:10-22;  Rev.  19:11-21)  and  the  Kingdom  blessing  to  follow 
when  Christ  shall  return  to  reign. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  distress  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem  because  of  coming  woes. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  righteous  God  pays  sinners  in  their  own  coin.  When  they 
have  filled  up  the  measure  of  their  iniquity,  God  will  begin,  for  the 
sinner's  day  is  sure  to  come.  The  godly  man's  comfort  is  that  he  shall, 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixty  ISAIAH 

in  any  event,  have  communion  with  God  in  this  life,  and  afterward  look 
upon  the  King  in  His  beauty. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  v.  5 

Strong  Verses:      6,   15,   16,   17,   22. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  Those  who  walk  uprightly  shall  not  only  be  preserved 
through  the  judgments  that  visit  mankind  upon  the  earth,  but  shall  with 
the  eye  of  faith,  ever  see  the  King  in  His  beauty,  and  shall  at  last  stand 
in  His  presence,  when  His  beauty  shall  be  upon  them.  1  John  3:2. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Prophecy  of  the  Day  of  the  Lord  and  Armaggedon. 

Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  day  fixed  in  the  divine  counsels  for  the  deliverance 
of  God's  people  and  cause  in  the  earth  and  the  destruction  of  all  enemies 
— a  year  of  recompense  for  the  controversy  of  Zion.  Those  who  make 
the  Book  of  the  Lord  their  meditation  and  rule  of  life,  will  have  complete 
deliverance  from  the  coming  judgment  of  nations  (v.  16). 

Key  Word:      Day  of  vengeance,  v.   8. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  It  is  Christ  who  will  come  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  to 
execute  judgment,  and  out  of  whose  mouth  goes  a  sharp  sword,  as  He 
judges  and  makes  war  upon  the  nations.  Rev.  19:11,  15. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      The  coming  Kingdom  blessing  and  regathering  of  Israel. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  precious  promises  of  peace  in  the  Gospel  will  shortly  cul- 
minate in  the  endless  joys  and  rest  of  the  coming  Kingdom  when  the 
saints  shall  reign  with  Christ.  Vengeance  will  then  be  taken  on  the 
powers  of  darkness  and  recompense  will  be  made  to  the  saints  for  all 
injuries  and  losses.  All  the  earth  shall  break  forth  in  beauty  and  great 
wonders  will  be  wrought  among  men. 

Key  Word:      Everlasting  joy,  vv.  1,   10. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4,  5,  6,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  It  is  Christ  who  is  coming  in  the  fullness  of  time  in  flaming 
fire,  to  spoil  and  make  an  open  show  of  all  evil  powers  and  to  set  up  the 
millennial  Kingdom,  to  which  all  the  prophets  bear  witness. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:      Sennacherib's    invasion    and    Jehovah's    deliverance.      The    threats 

of  Rabshakeh. 
Characters:      God,  Sennacherib,  Rabskakeh,  Hezekiah,  Eliakim,  Shebnab,  Joab, 

Pharaoh. 
Conclusion:      The  enemies  of  God's  people  are  ever  trying  to   frighten   them 

from   their   confidence   in   God.      That   we   may   keep   our   ground    against 

the  enemies  of  our  souls,  it  concerns  us  to  keep  a  firm  hope  in  God  that 

we  may  not  lose  spirit  in  the  day  of  trial. 
Key  Word:      Confidence  unshaken,  vv.  4,  21. 
Strong   Verses:      21. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Jehovah's  message  to  the  people  by  Isaiah.  Sennacherib's  message 
to  Hezekiah.  Hezekiah's  prayer  and  Jehovah's  answer.  Destruction  of 
Assyrians. 

Characters:  God,  Hezekiah,  Eliakim,  Shebna,  Isaiah,  Rabshakeh,  Tirhakah, 
Abrammelech,  Sharezer. 

Conclusion:  The  best  way  to  baffle  the  malicious  designs  of  the  enemy  of 
our  souls,  is  to  be  driven  by  them  to  God  in  prayer.  When  dangers  are 
most  pressing,  it  is  fitting  that  prayer  should  be  most  lively,  for  God  will 
be  a  defense  to  those  who  truly  look  to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah  a  defense,  v.   35. 

Strong  Verses:      31,    35. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Hezekiah's  sickness  and  recovery  in  answer  to  prayer. 
Characters:      God,  Isaiah,  Hezekiah. 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-One 

Conclusion:  Neither  men's  greatness  nor  goodness  will  exempt  them  from 
the  arrests  of  sickness.  If  one  is  sick,  let  him  pray  (Jas.  5:13)  for  God's 
love  is  sufficient  to  bring  one  from  the  very  pit  of  corruption,  if  it  be  His 
will.  Those  whose  life  is  as  from  the  dead  are  in  a  special  manner 
obliged  to  praise  God  all  their  days. 

Key  Word:      Healing,  v.   9. 

Strong  Verses:      17,    19. 

Striking  Facts:  Some  think  that  in  turning  his  face  toward  the  wall,  he  was 
turning,  as  was  customary,  toward  the  temple,  which  was  a  type  of  Christ. 
To  Him  we  must  look,  by  faith,  in  every  prayer. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:      Hezekiah's  folly.     Babylonian  captivity  of  Judah  foretold. 

Characters:      Isaiah,  Merodach-baladan,  Hezekiah. 

Conclusion:  It  is  folly  for  one  whom  God  has  dignified  to  be  overproud  of  the 
respect  paid  him  by  unbelieving  princes.  We  have  need  to  watch  our  own 
spirits  when  showing  another  what  we  have  done  and  what  we  have  gotten, 
as  if  our  own  merit  had  secured  it.  God  will  take  that  from  us  on  which 
we  build  a  carnal  confidence. 

Key  Word:      Impending  captivity  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

CHAPTER  FORTY 

Contents:  Joyful  prospect  given  to  the  people  of  God  of  the  happiness  of 
coming  redemption.  Reproof  for  their  despondencies. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Isaiah. 

Conclusion:  Nothing  can  be  spoken  more  comforting  to  those  who  realize 
themselves  undone,  than  the  coming  of  the  Redeemer  as  the  Lamb  of 
God  and  as  the  Good  Shepherd.  Those  who  are  ready  to  acknowledge  they 
have  no  might,  may  wait  upon  Him,  for  He  will  be  their  help  if  they  will 
humbly  depend  on  Him. 

Key  Word:      Comfort,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   8,    11,    26,   28,   29,    31. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  Christ  is  the  Good  Shepherd.  John  10:11.  He  has 
a  special  care  for  the  lambs  that  are  weak  and  cannot  help  themselves, 
gathering  them  into  the  arms  of  His  power  and  carrying  them  in  the 
bosom  of  His  love. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-ONE 

Contents:  Greatness  of  God  and  weakness  of  man.  Admonition  to  shun 
idols  and  encouragement  to  trust  in  God. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Jacob. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  is  infinite,  eternal  and  unchangeable.  He  has  governed 
the  world  from  the  beginning  and  will  until  the  end  of  time.  Let  the 
believer  therefore  depend  upon  Him  as  the  God  sufficient  for  him  in  the 
worst  of  times.  He  would  not  have  His  people  to  be  a  timorous  people, 
for  His  grace  can  silence  fears,  even  when  there  is  the  greatest  cause  for 
them. 

Key  Word:      Fear  not,  vv.   10,   13,   14. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  13,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  Christ  is  the  Redeemer  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel, 
engaged  by  promise  of  God's  people.  In  Him  is  help  found,  therefore  let 
Him  be  worshiped  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-T1VO 

Contents:  Christ,  servant  of  Jehovah.  Chastening  of  Israel  and  the  final 
restoration. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  A  day  is  coming  when  all  who  have  contradicted  and  blasphemed 
the  Gospel  of  Christ  shall  be  put  to  silence  and  shame,  and  when  all  the 
oppositions  of  the  powers  of  darkness  shall  be  thrown  down.  Let  the 
believer  therefore  delight  in  Christ,  rely  upon  Him  and  rejoice  in  Him, 
for  all  who  are  "in  Him"  will  be  well-pleasing  to  God. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  vv.  1,  4. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  4. 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Two  ISAIAH 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  1-7.  Fulfilled  in  Christ  (Matt.  12:17-21).  Note  the  two- 
fold account  of  the  coming  servant.  1.  As  weak,  despised,  rejected  and 
slain.  2.  As  mighty  conqueror  taking  vengeance.  The  former  class  of 
passages  were  fulfilled  in  the  first  advent.  The  second  await  His  return 
for  fulfillment. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  chosen  nation  redeemed  and  restored. 

Characters:      God,   Christ. 

Conclusion:  Israel  is  God's  peculiar  people,  distinguished  from  all  others, 
and  having  the  promise  that  they  shall  never  be  absorbed  and  that  nations 
shall  be  sacrificed  to  their  welfare.  They  will  be  finally  gathered  from 
all  the  earth  to  their  own  land,  and  when  Christ  shall  appear  as  King  of 
Kings,  their  sins  will  be  blotted  out,  and  they  shall  be  restored  to  full 
favor. 

Key  Word:      Gathered,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   10,   11,  25. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ,  the  Great  Redeemer,  will  appear  for  Israel  (Rom. 
11:25).  At  His  coming,  the  spiritual  seed  of  Israel  (through  the  Gospel 
of  grace)  will  be  gathered  to  heaven  as  their  home  and  given  glorified 
bodies.  Believers  under  the  Gospel  are  the  Bride  of  Christ  who  will 
"reign  with  Him"  in  His  coming  Kingdom  on  earth. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-FOUR 

Contents:      The  promise  of  the  Spirit  and  the  coming  restoration.      The  folly 

of  idolatry. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Cyrus. 
Conclusion:      There  is  no  God  besides  Jehovah.      He  is  infinite  and  therefore 

there  can  be  no  other.      He  is  sufficient,  and  therefore  no  other  is  needed. 

It  is  foolishness  to  expect  any  good  from  gods  of  man's  own  making  and 

only  the  blind  and  ignorant  can  look  to  graven  images. 
KeyWord:      Ashamed,  restored  (vv.  11,  22,  26). 
Strong  Verses:      6,  8,  22. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.    23-27.      When  Christ  returns  and   is  received   by  Israel, 

their  idolatry  and  sin  will  be  remembered  no  more,  and  recognizing  Him 

whom  they  pierced,  they  will  be  restored  to  a  place  of  great  fruitfulness. 

(Rom.    11:25.) 

CHAPTER   FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Promises  to  Cyrus  for  Israel's  sake.  Proof  of  God's  eternal  power 
and  sovereignty.  Encouragement  to  believing  Jews.  Doom  of  idol 
worshippers. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Cyrus. 

Conclusion:  Beside  Jehovah  there  is  no  God.  He  alone  is  self-existent,  self- 
sufficient,  being  infinite  and  eternal.  Those  are  in  woeful  condition  who 
strive  with  their  Maker  and  give  honor  to  images  which  cannot  give  good. 
Those  who  trust  in  God  will  never  be  made  ashamed  of  their  confidence 
in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah  omnipotent. 

Strong  Verses:      9,   18,   22,   24. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  This  verse  has  a  further  reference  to  the  conversion 
of  the  Gentiles  that  live  in  the  ends  of  the  earth  through  the  lifting  up  of 
Christ  on  Calvary's  Cross.  As  the  stung  Israelites  looked  to  the  brazen 
serpent,  so  all  were  invited  to  look  to  Christ  and  be  saved. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SIX 

Contents:  Israel  exhorted  to  remember  the  power  of  God  and  powerlessness 
of  idols. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  False  gods  will  certainly  fail  the  worshippers  when  they  have 
most  need  of  them.  It  is  absurd  to  think  of  making  any  creature  equal 
with  the  Creator,  who  is  infinitely  above  all  He  has  created.  Let  all 
remember  that  they  have  been  the  constant  care  of  His  kind  providence 
and  are  absolutely  dependent  upon  Him. 

Key  Word:      Remember,  vv.  8-9. 


I 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Three 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  10. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  12-13.  This  may  be  applied  to  the  Jews  in  their  rejection 
of  Christ,  for  they  thought  to  establish  their  own  righteousness,  and  would 
not  accept  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Christ,  by  faith. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Judgment  pronounced  upon  Babylon. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  abuse  their  honor  or  power  provoke  God  to  deprive 
them  of  it  utterly  and  to  make  them  sit  in  dust.  While  God  often  makes 
use  of  evil  men  for  the  correction  of  His  people,  He  always  breaks  the 
rod  of  His  wrath  because  of  their  boastfulness  and  cruelty. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  v.   3. 

Strong   Verses:      4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  Christ  is  the  Great  Redeemer,  who  as  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel  saves  His  people,  and  as  Lord  of  Hosts  will  take  vengeance  upon 
the  wicked. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  The  dullness  of  Israel.  Restoration  under  the  Servant  of  Jehovah. 
Israel  reminded  of  the  promises. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Holy  Spirit. 

Conclusion:  God  often  finds  His  people  obstinate  and  perverse,  but  for  all 
that  He  makes  it  redound  to  the  honor  of  His  mercy  to  spare  and  reprieve 
them,  refining  them  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  rather  than  cutting  them 
off.  O,  that  men  would  own  Him  as  the  true  and  only  God,  receiving  His 
promises  and  looking  to  His  Redeemer. 

Key  Word:      Anger  deferred,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:       12,   17,  22. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  16-17.  The  Spirit  of  God  is  here  spoken  of  as  a  person 
distinct  from  Father  and  Son,  as  that  which  is  said  to  the  same 'purpose 
with  this  (61:1)  is  applied  to  Christ  (Luke  4:21),  so  may  this  be.  Christ 
the  Redeemer  was  sent  by  the  Father  and  He  had  the  Spirit  without 
measure. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-NINE 

Contents:  Israel's  coming  Redeemer.  Preservation  and  restoration  of  Israel 
and  judgment  on  oppressors. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  God,  of  old,  promised  a  Redeemer  to  His  people  who  would  also 
become  a  Light  to  the  Gentiles.  Through  Him,  the  souls  of  those  looking 
to  Him  were  to  be  set  free  from  the  bondage  of  guilt  and  corruption;  His 
own  should  be  wonderfully  provided  for,  and  through  Him,  at  length, 
Israel  would  be  restored  and  the  earth  established  in  righteousness,  peace 
and  joy. 

Key  Word:      Redeemer,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Christ  was  the  Redeemer  .who  was  despised  and  re- 
jected of  men,  and  abhorred  by  nations,  who  cried  "crucify  Him."  But  God 
promised  Him  exaltation  in  the  depths  of  His  humiliation,  and  at  His 
return  He  will  be  acknowledged  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY 

Contents:      The   humiliation   of  the  Holy  One  of   Israel. 

Characters:      God,    Christ. 

Conclusion:  The  Lord  Jesus,  our  Redeemer,  was  to  be  wise  above  all  men, 
able  to  speak  the  word  of  comfort  to  every  heart;  He  was  to  have  the  ear 
of  the  learned  to  receive  instruction  in  all  things  from  His  Father.  In 
spite  of  this,  He  was  to  be  smitten  and  insulted  by  men,  yet  unshaken  in 
constancy  and  resolution,  suffering  all  patiently  and  voluntarily  for  the 
salvation  of  the  world.  Let  all  who  fear  God,  build  their  hopes  upon 
Christ  who  has  proven  Himself  the  Savior  of  mankind. 

Key  Word:      Smitten  Redeemer,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      7.,   10. 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Four  ISAIAH 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  Here  we  see  Jesus  in  Creative  power;  v.  4  as  the  de- 
pendent teacher;  v.  5  as  the  faithful  servant;  v.  6  as  the  patient  sufferer; 
v.  8  as  the  justified  Redeemer. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-ONE 

Contents:      Final  redemption  of  Israel  and  punishment  of  oppressors. 

Characters:      God,   Christ. 

Conclusion:  Although  God's  people  are  called  upon  to  suffer  much  upon 
earth,  they  have  an  eternal  cause  to  rejoice,  in  that  all  who  trust  in  His 
salvation  have  the  approbation  of  the  living  God  and  may  therefore  des- 
pise the  censures  of  dying  men  who  will  shortly  be  punished. 

Key  Word:      Zion's  comfort,  vv.    3,   11. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  7,  12,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  Christ  brought  an  everlasting  righteousness  and  salva- 
tion. Those  whose  happiness  is  bound  up  in  His  righteousness,  will  have 
the  comfort  of  it  eternally. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-TWO 

Contents:  Vision  of  Jerusalem  in  the  Kingdom  age.  Jehovah's  servant 
marred  and  afterward  exalted. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Let  God's  people  prepare  for  eternal  joy,  for  His  Word  shall 
without  tail  have  its  accomplishment  in  due  season.  Jerusalem  shall  be 
made  a  praise  and  all  the  earth  shall  break  forth  in  joy  when  He  who 
was  rejected  and  despised  of  men  shall  come  forth 'as  Lord  and  King. 

Key  Word:      Jerusalem  redeemed,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      7,    11,    14. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  7,  14.  v.  7  has  an  application  to  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel,  a  message  indeed  of  good  news  and  victory  over  spiritual  enemies 
(Rom.  10:15).  v.  14  points  plainly  at  Jesus  (Acts  8:34-35).  Never  was 
man  so  barbarously  treated  as  was  the  Son  of  God.  When  He  returns  in 
glory  the  kings  of  the  earth  shall  shut  their  mouths  at  Him,  and  the  Jews 
will  look  with  mourning  upon  Him  whom  they  pierced. 

CHAPTER   FIFTY-THREE 

Contents:      The  vicarious  sacrifice   of  Christ,   the   servant   of   Jehovah. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  .The  whole  race  of  mankind  lies  under  the  stain  of  original  cor- 
ruption, all  gone  astray  from  God.  God,  in  love  sent  His  only  begotten 
Son  into  the  world,  who  voluntarily  made  Himself  an  offering  for  sin. 
He  submitted  Himself  to  the  disgraces  and  afflictions  due  to  the  worst  of 
men,  that  those  who  should  believe  on  Him,  might  have  the  joy  and  glory 
due  to  Him  as  the  one  perfect  man. 

Key  Word:      Man  of  sorrows,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    4,    5,    6,    7,    10,    11. 

Striking  Facts:  Christ  rose  in  the  world  as  a  tender  plant.  The  greater  part 
of  those  among  whom  He  lived  saw  none  of  His  beauty.  Because  He 
announced  Himself  as  the  Savior  of  the  world,  He  was  abandoned  and 
abhorred.  Nevertheless  God  highly  exalted  Him,  and  He  appears  in  heaven 
to  make  intercession  for  all  who  accept  His  sacrifice. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY -FOUR 

Contents:      Israel  as  the  restored  wife  of  Jehovah  in  the  Kingdom  age. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  We  may  with  greatest  assurance  depend  upon  God  for  the  keep- 
ing of  His  covenant  with  His  people  (especially  Israel)  for  He  will  not 
keep  His  anger  against  them  forever,  but  will  gather  them  out  of  their 
dispersions  that  they  may  return  in  a  body  to  their  land,  where  He  will 
again  be  a  husband  to  them. 

Key   Word:      Restored   Israel,    v.    7. 

Strong  Verses:      4,    17. 

Striking  Facts:  As  Israel  is  spoken  of  as  the  wife  of  Jehovah,  so  the  church 
of  the  present  dispensation  is  called  "the  bride  of  Christ"  (the  Lamb). 
However  this  chapter  has  wholly  to  do  with  the  fulfillment  of  God's  cov- 
enant with  Israel. 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Five 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Jehovah's    everlasting   salvation. 

Characters:      God,   Christ. 

Conclusion:  All  are  invited  to  partake  of  God's  salvation  provided  through 
Christ.  All  the  world's  wealth  and  pleasure  cannot  satisfy  the  soul,  but 
God's  eternal  salvation  brings  true  life  and  peace.  It  is  man's  wisdom, 
therefore,  to  seek  Christ  while  He  may  be  found,  forsaking  sin  and  dis- 
lodging all  preconceived  notions  contrary  to  God's  truth,  for  God  will  then 
abundantly  pardon. 

Key  Word:      Come,  vv.  1,  3,  6. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  6,  7,  8,  9,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  4,  5.  Christ  was  given  to  the  world  for  a  witness  of 
God's  love  and  mercy  (John  3:16).  He  is  the  true  leader  and  commander 
to  show  man  what  to  do  and  enable  him  to  do  it.  Through  Him  the  door 
was  opened  to  the  Gentile  nations  to  enter  into  God's  eternal  salvation. 

CHAPTER  FIFTY-SIX 

Contents:  Solemn  instruction  given  to  all  to  make  conscience  of  duty.  Charge 
against  the  careless  and  unfaithful. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  more  assurance  God  gives  us  of  the  performance  of  His 
promises,  the  stronger  obligations  He  lays  us  under  to  obedience  to  His 
commands.  Righteousness  and  justice  on  our  part,  are  required  to  evi- 
dence the  security  of  our  faith  and  repentance,  and  to  open  the  way  of 
mercy. 

Key  Word:      Justice  and  righteousness,  vv.  1,  2. 

Strong    Verses :      7 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  The  great  salvation  announced  and  wrought  out  by 
Christ  was  preceded  by  the  call  to  repentance  and  faith.  In  Christ,  the 
righteousness  of  God  was  revealed  (Rom.  1:17)  and  he  is  "made  righte- 
ousness" unto  all  who  receive  Him. 


CHAPTER   FIFTY-SEVEN 

its:      Further   ethical  instructions.     Sins  of  the  people   denounced. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  God  is  justly  displeased  when  the  voice  of  His  rod  is  not  heard, 
much  more,  when  sin  and  idolatry  are  knowingly  rejoiced  in.  Sinners 
shall  find  no  quietness  or  satisfaction  in  their  own  hearts  and  will  be  made 
to  feel  the  full  force  of  His  anger  if  sin  is  not  repented  of  and  forsaken. 

Key  Word:      Wicked,  v.  21. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  21. 

CHAPTER   FIFTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Hypocritical  professions  of  religion.  Instructions  how  to  keep 
fasts  aright. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  It  is  common  for  unhumbled  hearts,  while  they  perform  the 
external  services  of  religion,  to  promise  themselves  acceptance  with  God, 
which  He  has  promised  only  to  the  sincere.  God  will  not  be  cheated  by 
hypocritical  fasts  and  ceremonies.  Those  who  fast  and  pray,  yet  go  on 
in  sin,  mock  God  and  cheat  themselves. 

Key   Word:      Hypocritical    fasts,    v.    4. 

Strong  Verses:      6,   7,   10,    11. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-NINE 

Contents:  Sins  which  prevented  the  bestowal  of  God's  blessing  and  caused 
chastisements  to  fall  upon  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Holy  Spirit 

Conclusion:  If  prayers  are  not  answered  and  the  salvation  we  wait  for  is  not 
wrought  for  us,  it  is  not  evidence  that  God  is  weary  of  hearing  prayer, 
but  that,  for  some  reason,  He  cannot  answer.  Sin  hides  His  face  from 
us,  provokes  Him  to  withdraw  His  gracious  presence  and  suspend  the 
tokens  of  His  favor. 

Key  Word:      Iniquities,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  2. 


Page  One-  Hundred  Sixty-Six  ISAIAH 

Striking  Facts:  v.  20.  Christ  was  the  kinsman  Redeemer  who  came  to  His 
own  and  was  rejected.  (John  1:11-12.)  He  is  coming  a  second  time  to 
receive  His  own  and  to  give  full  deliverance  to  Israel.  (Rom.  11:25-26.) 

CHAPTER    SIXTY 

Contents:      The  Deliverer  out  of  Zion  and  the  peace  and  joy  of  His  coming. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  When  the  Redeemer  shall  appear  in  glory  to  be  received  as  the 
Light  of  Israel,  the  knowledge  of  Him  shall  fill  the  whole  earth  and  all 
the  Gentile  nations  will  honor  them  and  flock  to  them.  Wasting  and 
destruction  shall  be  no  more  and  all  will  be  filled  with  praise  to  God. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  light,  vv.  1,  3,  19. 

Strong  Verses:      19. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  This  had  a  near  fulfillment  in  the  first  advent  of 
Christ,  who  came  as  the  Light  of  the  world.  However,  He  was  rejected 
and  the  Church  came  in  as  a  parenthesis.  Christ  is  coming  again,  first 
for  His  Church  as  "the  bright  and  morning  star,"  and  then  to  Israel  and 
all  the  world,  as  the  "sun  of  righteousness." 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-ONE 

Contents:  Two  advents  of  Christ  in  one  view.  Kingdom  blessing  after  the 
day  of  vengeance.  Israel's  restoration. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Holy  Spirit. 

Conclusion:  After  the  day  of  Christ's  vengeance,  comfort  will  be  given  to 
restored  Israel.  The  setting  up  of  the  Kingdom  in  the  earth  will  mean 
the  repairing  of  all  the  waste  places  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 
see  God's  great  salvation. 

Key   Word:      Universal   righteousness,    v.    11. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  See  Luke  4:16-21  and  note  that  Jesus  suspended  the 
reading  of  this  passage  at  the  comma,  after  the  word  "Lord."  The  first 
advent  opened  the  day  of  grace  "the  acceptable  year  of  Jehovah,"  but  does 
not  fulfill  the  day  of  vengeance.  When  He  returns  this  will  be  fulfilled 
being  followed  by  the  Kingdom  of  righteousness  (4,  11). 

CHAPTER  SIXTY-TWO 

Contents:      Restoration  of  Israel  to  God's  favor,  and  honor  with  the  nations. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Israel's  full  salvation  is  sure  to  come  when  they  are  regathered 
and  their  Redeemer  recognized.  In  that  day  their  land  will  no  longer  be 
called  "desolate"  but  "Beulah  land,"  and  Jerusalem  will  be  a  praise  in 
the  earth.  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  will  know  that  God  has  pleaded 
Israel's  cause  and  fulfilled  His  prophecies  concerning  them. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  salvation,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:       11. 

Striking  Facts:  This  prophecy  was  not  fulfilled  in  the  first  advent  and  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  grace.  God  has  made  definite  promises  to 
Israel,  before  whom  Christ  will  yet  appear  again,  to  be  recognized.  We 
have  no  right  to  put  the  church  in  Israel's  place  in  the  promises. 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-THREE 

Contents:      Day  of  vengeance,  and  the  fear  and  hope  of  the  remnant  of  Israel. 

Characters:      God,   Christ,   Holy   Spirit,    Moses,   Abraham. 

Conclusion:  Christ  is  coming  to  tread  the  winepress  of  the  wrath  of  God 
(Rev.  19:14-15)  to  take  fierce  vengeance  on  all  sinners.  In  that  day  the 
remnant  of  Israel  will  remember  their  days  of  rebellion  and  will  see  how 
God  has  nourished  them  through  the  ages. 

Key  WTord:      Day  of  vengeance,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  Rev.  19:11-21  describes  this  same  day  of  vengeance, 
when  Christ  shall  come  forth  in  power,  wearing  vesture  dipped  in  blood, 
crowned  with  many  crowns  and  revealing  Himself  as  King  of  Kings. 


V 


ISAIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Seven 

CHAPTER    SIXTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Fear  and  hope  of  remnant  of  Israel  in  day  of  vengeance. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  The  remnant  of  Israel  in  the  day  of  Christ's  vengeance  will 
bewail  their  sins,  thereby  justifying  God  in  all  their  afflictions,  owning 
themselves  unworthy  of  His  mercy  and  thereby  preparing  for  the  deliv- 
erance He  has  promised  them. 

Key  WTord:      Mercy  implored,  vv.  9,  12. 

Strong  Verses:      4,   6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  4.  This  is  likewise  true  of  those  saved  under  the  Gospel 
of  grace  (1  Cor.  2:9)  to  whom  is  revealed  by  the  Spirit  the  deep  things 
of  God  as  the  result  of  their  acceptance  of  the  crucified  and  risen  Savior. 

CHAPTER   SIXTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Answer  of  Jehovah  to  remnant  of  Israel.  Eternal  blessing  in  the 
renovated  earth. 

Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  Although  Jehovah  has  long  stretched  forth  His  hand  to  a  dis- 
obedient and  gainsaying  people,  Israel,  yet  He  will  spare  the  remnant  at 
Christ's  return,  purging  them  from  their  sins,  establishing  them  in  a 
purified  earth. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  hope,  v.   8. 

Strong   Verses:      17,    24. 

Striking  Facts:  Chap.  21  and  22  of  Rev.  look  also  to  this  same  time  of  restora- 
tion of  all  things.  The  church  appears  then  with  Christ,  as  His  Bride,  to 
rule  with  Him,  not  as  subjects  of  the  earthly  kingdom.  Israel's  glory  in 
the  prophecies  is  always  an  earthly  glory. 

CHAPTER   SIXTY-SIX 

Contents:      Blessings  of  the  coming  universal  Kingdom. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Following  the  day  of  Christ's  vengeance  the  sorrows  of  Israel 
will  be  turned  into  abundant  joys.  All  the  Gentiles  spared  shall  rejoice 
in  her  salvation.  All  nations  will  look  upon  the  glory  of  God  as  it  shines 
in  the  face  of  Christ,  the  King,  and  worship  will  be  carefully  and  con- 
stantly attended  upon  by  all  the  peoples  of  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Universal   kingdom,  v.    23. 

Strong  Verses:      15,  16,  23. 

Striking  Facts:  The  Christian  watches  with  great  interest  the  providences 
of  God  towards  the  Jews,  knowing  that  their  return  to  their  land  is  a  prep- 
aration for  the  fulfillment  of  much  prophecy,  a  sign  of  the  approach  of  the 
close  of  the  age  and  Christ's  coming.  "Come,  Lord  Jesus." 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Eight  BOOK  OF  JEREMIAH 

JEREMIAH 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Warning  52  7:28;46:1       Lord  of  Righteous- 

ness. 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Judgment  is  the  certain 
result    of    sin.      God    is 

Jeremiah  About  580  to  600  B.  C.          longsuffering,    not    will- 

ing     that     any     should 
perish. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  call  and  enduement.  The  sign  of  the  almond  rod  and 
seething  pot. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Jeremiah,  Josiah,  Jehoiakim. 

Conclusion:  God,  by  His  special  counsel  and  foreknowledge  designs  certain 
men  for  certain  work  for  Himself,  and  whom  He  ^calls  He  fits  for  their 
work.  Those  having  His  message  to  deliver,  while  they  should  feel  their 
own  insufficiency,  should  not  be  afraid  of  the  face  of  man,  for  God  has 
pledged  Himself  to  be  with  them. 

Key  Word:      Called  of  God,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      1,   19. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  First  message  to  backslidden  Judah  concerning  their  ingratitude 
to  God  and  wickedness  against  Him. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  great  affront  to  God  to  neglect  Him  and  forget  Him,  fail- 
ing to  acknowledge  His  kindnesses,  withholding  the  tributes  of  love  and 
praise  due  Him,  and  worst  of  all,  to  turn  to  idols  which  cannot  possibly 
do  them  any  good.  Such  backslidings  are  invariably  followed  with 
severe  corrections  that  the  backslider  might  read  his  sin  in  the  pun- 
ishment. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah  forgotten,  v.   32. 

Strong  Verses:      13,    32. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  message  concerning  the  impenitence  of  Judah.  Encour- 
agement to  backsliders  to  return  and  repent. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  will  justly  be  divorced  from  God  that  join  themselves  to 
such  as  are  rivals  with  Him,  but  God  is  ever  ready  to  pardon  sin  and 
receive  those  who  will  return  to  Him  humbly  confessing  their  sins  and 
acknowledging  their  dependence  upon  Him  for  salvation. 

Key  Word:      Backsliding  Israel,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  23. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  second  message,  continued.  Warning  of  the  conse- 
quences of  sin  and  exhortation  to  return  to  God. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:      It  is  the  evil  of  men's  doings  that  kindles  the  fires  of  God's  wrath 
against  them  and  brings  destruction  upon  the  land.     That  which  is  to  be 
before  He  moves,  which  makes  a  way  of  escape  for  those  who  will  sin- 
cerely turn  to  Him  and  receive  His  mercy, 
dreaded  above  everything  else  is  the  wrath  of  God,  but  God  always  warns 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.   7. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 


Page  One  Hundred  Sixty-Nine 


I 


CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  second  message,  continued.  God's  charges  against 
them  and  the  judgments  threatened. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Sinners  have  reason  to  expect  punishment  on  account  of  God's 
holiness  to  which  sin  is  highly  offensive.  Sin  will  not  go  unpunished,  else 
the  honor  of  God's  government  cannot  be  maintained,  and  sinners  will  be 
tempted  to  think  Him  altogether  such  a  one  as  themselves. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  vv.  9,  29. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  second  message,  continued.  The  terrors  that  should 
come  because  of  sin. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  The  God  of  mercy  is  loath  to  depart  even  from  a  provoking  peo- 
ple, and  earnestly  entreats  them  by  true  repentance  to  prevent  the  neces- 
sity of  His  fierce  judgments.  Those  who  perish  in  their  sin  will  be  utterly 
forsaken  of  Him,  and  whom  He  forsakes  is  certainly  undone. 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      16. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  The  message  in  the  gate  of  the  Lord's  house.  Coming  desolations 
because  of  sin. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  It  is  common  for  those  who  are  furthest  from  God  to  boast  them- 
selves most  of  being  in  the  Church,  but  God  is  holy  and  will  not  be  the 
pattern  of  sin  even  though  it  be  covered  up  in  a  form  of  godliness.  When 
His  anger  breaks  upon  them,  such  sinners  have  only  themselves  to  fhank. 

Key  Word:      Abominations,  v.  30. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  10,  1*1,  23. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Message  in  the  temple  gate,  continued.  Terrible  judgments  im- 
pending. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Impenitence  brings  certain  ruin.  All  the  boasted  wisdom  of 
man  cannot  serve  to  keep  him  from  the  consuming  judgments  pronounced 
upon  those  who  mock  at  God's  Word  and  take  their  own  course. 

Key  Word:      Consuming  judgment,  v.  12. 

Strong  Verses:      7,   9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  The  blood  of  Christ  is  a  balm  from  Gilead  for  the 
healing  of  the  sin-sick  heart,  and  He  is  the  great  Physician  who  is  all-suf- 
ficient for  any  case  however  difficult. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  Message  in  the  temple  gate,  continued.  Detestation  of  the  sins 
of  the  people.  The  vanity  of  trusting  in  anything  but  God. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  will  not  know  God  as  their  law  giver  will  be  made  to 
know  Him  as  their  Judge.  If  the  furnace  of  affliction  will  not  purify 
them  from  their  dross,  He  will  cut  them  off  with  terrible  desolations. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  v.   9. 

Strong  Verses:      23,   24. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Message  in  the  temple  gate,  concluded.  Greatness  of  the  true  God. 
Coming  distresses  in  the  land  because  of  sin. 

Characters:      God,    Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  is  the  one  only  living  and  true  God,  and  to  set  up  any 
other  in  competition  with  Him  is  the  greatest  affront.  Those  who  will  not 
believe  His  Word  nor  recognize  His  power  will  be  made  to  feel  His  judg- 
ments to  their  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Distress,  v.  18. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  10,  12,  23,  24. 


Page  One  Hundred  Seventy  JEREMIAH 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Jeremiah's  message  on  the  broken  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  enter  into  solemn  covenant  with  God  must  expect 
on  their  part  to  fulfill  the  conditions,  else  He  cannot  on  His  part  fulfill 
the  promise.  If  we  do  not  by  obedience  meet  our  end  of  the  contract, 
we  will  by  disobedience  bring  ourselves  under  its  curses,  and  it  is  just 
with  God  to  inflict  heavy  penalty. 

Key  Word:      Broken  covenant,   8. 

CHAPTER   TWELVE 

Contents:  Message  on  the  broken  covenant,  concluded.  Jeremiah's  com- 
plaint to  God  and  God's  rebuke. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  When  we  find  it  hard  to  understand  God's  providences  toward 
wicked  men,  we  should  remember  His  sure  Word  that  "what  a  man 
soweth  that  shall  he  also  reap."  God  often  lets  wicked  men  have  a  time 
of  prosperity  that  by  their  pride  and  luxury  they  might  fill  up  the  measure 
of  their  iniquity,  and  so  be  ripening  for  a  terrible  destruction. 

Key  Word:      Prosperity  of  wicked,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,    13. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Sign  of  the  linen  girdle  and  sign  of  the  bottles  filled  with  wine. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  persist  in  sin,  ignoring  God's  Word,  make  them- 
selves vessels  of  wrath  fitted  to  destruction.  If  one  judgment  does  not 
do  the  work,  God  will  send  one  upon  another  until  they  are  utterly 
brought  to  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Punishment,   v.    21. 

Strong  Verses:      16,  23. 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Message  on  the  drought. 

Characters:      God,    Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Man's  sins  bring  those  judgments  upon  the  earth  which  make 
even  the  inferior  creatures  to  groan.  There  will  come  a  time  when  the 
sinners'  expectation  from  God  will  utterly  fail  them.  We  should  dread 
nothing  more  than  God's  departure  from  us. 

Key  Word:      Drought,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      22. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Message    on    the    drought,    concluded.      The    people    abandoned    to 

ruin.      Jeremiah    complains   of   his   hardships. 
Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  Moses,  Samuel. 
Conclusion:      Miserable  is  the  case  of  those  who  have  sinned  so  long  against 

God's  mercy  that  at  length  they  have  sinned  it  away.     There  is  no  mercy 

for  those  who   persist  in   apostasy. 
Key  Word:      Destruction,  v.  6. 
Strong  Verses:      16,  21. 

CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

Contents:      Sign  of  the  unmarried  prophet,  forecasting  coming  calamities. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  God  often  makes  men's  sins  their  punishment  and  fills  the 
backslider  in  heart  with  his  own  ways.  Those  have  cut  themselves  off 
from  all  true  peace  who  have  thrown  away  the  favor  of  God  by  persisting 
in  wilful  sin  and  idolatry. 

Key  Word:      v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      17. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

Contents:      Sign  of  the  unmarried  prophet,  concluded.      Message  in  the  gates 

concerning  the  Sabbath. 
Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 


JEREMIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-One 

Conclusion:  The  heart  of  man,  out  of  communion  with  God,  is  wicked  and 
deceitful  above  all  things.  Those  who  have  wedded  themselves  to  sin 
invite  God's  judgments  upon  their  own  heads.  There  is  only  disap- 
pointment and  vexation  for  those  who  depend  upon  the  arm  of  flesh 
instead  of  God,  but  those  who  by  faith  derive  strength  and  grace  from  God 
will  be  enabled  to  do  that  which  will  redound  to  God's  glory,  the  benefit 
of  others  and  their  own  account. 

Key  Word:      v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      5,    7,    9,    10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  Those  who  trust  to  their  own  righteousness  and 
strength,  thinking  to  get  salvation  without  the  merit  and  grace  of  Christ, 
thus  make  flesh  their  arm  and  fail  of  God's  salvation. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:  Sign  of  the  potter's  house.  Declaration  of  God's  ways  of  dealing 
with  nations.  Jeremiah's  complaint. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  has  incontestable  and  irresistible  ability  to  form  (frame) 
and  fashion  nations  as  He  pleases.  If  they  do  not  turn  from  evil  ways, 
He  will  turn  His  hand  against  them.  Sin  ruins  the  comforts  of  nations, 
prolongs  their  grievances,  and  at  length  brings  total  ruin  upon  them. 

Key  Word:      Potter  and  clay,  vv.  6,  7. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7,  8. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Sign  of  potter's  house,  concluded.      Coming  calamities 

Characters:      Jeremiah,  Kings  of  Judah. 

Conclusion:  Let  men  great  and  small  know  that  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  able 
to  do  what  He  threatens,  and  will  therefore  sorely  punish  those  who 
have  persisted  in  wickedness  in  spite  of  all  His  entreaties.  They  will 
be  abandoned  to  utter  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Broken,  v.    11. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  first  persecution.  His  complaint  to  God  and  encour- 
agement in  God. 

Characters:      God,  Pashur,  Jeremiah,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God  may  expect  to  be 
plotted  against,  ridiculed  and  represented  as  dangerous  to  the  govern- 
ment, which  presents  a  strong  temptation  to  stop  preaching  or  tone  down 
the  message.  However,  the  faithful  preacher  can  successfully  set  all 
enemies  at  defiance,  for  Jehovah  has  promised  to  take  his  part,  and  to 
make  the  Word  preached  answer  the  end  of  its  designs. 

Key  Word:      Persecution,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:      9,    11. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  7,  8.  Thus  our  Lord  Jesus  on  the  cross  was  reviled  by 
priests  and  people  for  nothing  but  His  faithful  witness  to  God's  Word. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:      Message    to    King    Zedekiah.      Babylonian    captivity    foretold. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  Zedekiah,  Pashur,  Zephaniah,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Conclusion:  If  God  be  for  us,  none  can  be  against  us,  but  if  He  be  against 
us,  who  can  be  for  us  to  stand  us  in  any  stead?  Our  God  is  a  consuming 
fire,  and  when  once  He  is  angry  because  of  men's  sins,  no  one  can  stand 
in  His  sight. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  fury. 

Strong  Verses:      8. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:  Message  to  Zedekiah,  concluded.  The  King  exhorted  to  execute 
judgment. 

Characters:  God,  Zedekiah,  Shallum,  Jeremiah,  Jehoiakim,  Coniah,  Nebuchad- 
nezzar. 

Conclusion:      God  never  casts  one  off  until  they  cast  Him  off,  but  when  men 


Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Two  JEREMIAH 

revolt  from  their  allegiance  to  Him  and  trample  under  foot  their  covenants 
with  Him,  He  gives  them  up  to  destruction,  and  who  can  contend  with  the 
destroyers  of  His  preparing? 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:       13,    29. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  28,  30.  Coniah  was  of  David's  line  through  Solomon, 
and  the  throne  rights  were  cut  off  with  Coniah.  Joseph,  the  husband  of 
Mary,  was  of  this  line.  Had  Jesus  been  born  in  the  natural  way,  He  would 
have  had  no  title  to  the  Davidic  throne.  However,  Mary  was  of  David's 
line  through  Nathan,  the  first  born  of  David,  and  Jesus  being  conceived 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  holds  the  royal  title  to  the  throne,  which  He  will  possess 
at  His  return. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:  Future  restoration  and  conversion  of  Israel.  Message  against 
the  faithless  shepherds. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Woe  be  to  those  who  are  commanded  to  feed  God's  people  and 
pretend  to  do  it,  but  instead  drag  them  from  God,  speaking  messages  that 
are  the  product  of  their  own  invention,  and  slighting  the  authority  of 
His  Word.  God  disowns  all  prophets  who  soothe  people  in  their  sins. 

Key  Word:      Lying  prophets,  v.  25. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   24,  29,  32. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  5,  6.  Jesus  Christ  is  spoken  of  as  the  branch  from  David, 
small  in  His  beginnings,  but  growing  to  be  great  and  loaded  with  divine 
fruits.  He  is  the  Lord  our  righteousness  (especially  to  be  manifested 
.  before  the  Jews  at  His  coming  again).  He  is  the  Lord  (Jehovah),  denot- 
ing eternity  and  self-existence.  As  Mediator,  He  is  our  righteousness. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Sign  of  the  figs.      Judah's  restoration,  but  not  those  of  the  second 

deportation. 

Characters:      Jeremiah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Jeconiah,  Zedekiah. 
Conclusion:      The  same  providence  which  to  some  is  a  savour  of  death  unto 

death  may  by  God's  grace  be  made  to  others  a  savour  of  life  unto  life. 

God  knows  all  who  are  His,  and  will  protect  and  deliver  them  whatever 

may  come. 
Key  Word:      Good  and  evil  figs,  v.   3. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Prophecy  of  seventy  years'  captivity.  Sign  of  the  wine  cup  of 
fury. 

Characters:      Jeremiah,   Jehoiakim,   Nebuchadnezzar,    Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  Men  would  never  receive  from  God  the  desolating  punishments 
did  they  not  provoke  Him  by  the  evil  of  their  persistent  sin.  That  which 
is  provocation  to  God  will  prove  in  the  end  at  least  the  utter  ruin  of 
man,  for  the  day  of  His  fierce  wrath  is  coming  upon  all  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:      v.   31. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  29,  33.  This  prophecy  leaps  to  the  end  of  the  age,  the 
day  of  the  Lord  when  Christ  will  return  to  execute  God's  wrath.  Rev. 
19:11-21;  14:14. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:  Message  in  the  temple  court.  Spiteful  treatment  of  Jeremiah  and 
his  brave  stand.  Martyrdom  of  Urijah. 

Characters:  Jehoiakim,  Jeremiah,  Micah,  Hezekiah,  Urijah,  Elnathan,  Ahi- 
kam. 

Conclusion:  God's  ambassador  must  keep  close  to  divine  instructions,  not 
compromising  to  please  men  or  to  save  himself.  If  he  speaks  what  God 
appointed  him  to  speak,  he  will  be  under  God's  protection,  and  whatever 
affront  the  people  offer  to  the  ambassador,  it  will  be  resented  by  God 
Himself. 

Key  Word:      Faithful  prophet,  vv.  14,  15. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 


JEREMIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Three 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:  Sign  of  the  yokes,  to  surrounding  Gentile  kings.  Warning  of 
great  calamity. 

Characters:      God,  Jehoiakim,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Zedekiah,  Jeconiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  refuse  to  serve  the  God  who  made  them  may  be  justly 
made  by  God  to  serve  their  enemies  who  sought  to  ruin  them.  God  has 
an  indisputable  right  to  dispose  of  kingdoms  as  He  pleases. 

Key  Word:      Yoke  of  Babylon,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      5. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Sign  of  the  yokes,  continued.  False  prophecy  and  death  of  Hana- 
niah. 

Characters:      Zedekiah,   Hananiah,   Jeremiah,   Nebuchadnezzar,   Jeconiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  have  a  great  deal  to  answer  for  who  tell  sinners  that  they 
shall  have  peace  in  spite  of  their  contempt  of  the  admonitions  of  God's 
Word  and  the  exhortations  of  His  true  prophets.  It  is  no  new  thing  for 
lying  prophets  to  father  their  message  upon  the  God  of  truth,  but  they 
will  surely  be  brought  to  shame. 

Key  Word:      False  teachers,  v.  16. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:  Message  to  the  Jews  of  the  first  captivity.  Action  against  false 
prophets.  Destruction  foretold. 

Characters:  Jeremiah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Jeconiah,  Elasah,  Gemariah,  Ahab, 
Zedekiah,  Shemaiah,  Zephaniah,  Jehoiada. 

Conclusion:  As  long  as  we  have  God's  sure  Word  before  us,  it  is  our  own 
fault  if  we  be  deceived,  for  by  it  we  may  be  undeceived.  If  vengeance 
shall  be  taken  on  those  who  rebel  against  God's  Word,  much  more  on 
those  who  teach  rebellion  by  their  destructive  doctrines. 

Key  Word:      True  and  false  prophecies,  vv.  20,  21. 

Strong  Verses:      11,    12,   13. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  first  writing.  Summary  of  Israel  in  the  coming  great 
tribulation. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Israel,  after  many  years  of  wandering  among  all  nations,  is  to 
be  finally  purified  in  a  season  of  tribulation  such  as  the  world  has  never 
known  nor  ever  shall  know  thereafter.  The  purposes  of  God's  wrath  will 
all  be  fulfilled,  and  then  Israel  shall  be  gloriously  restored  as  a  nation. 

Key  Word:      Jacob's  trouble,  v.   7. 

Strong  Verses:      24. 

Striking  Facts:  The  time  of  Jacob's  trouble  is  a  period  of  seven  years  coming 
at  the  close  of  the  present  dispensation,  followed  immediately  by  the 
return  of  Christ  in  glory  to  set  up  His  kingdom.  See  Christ's  own  Word: 
Matt.  24:15-31. 


I 


CHAPTER    THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Israel  in  the  last  days. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  God  will  again  at  the  end  of  the  age  take  Israel  into  new 
covenant  relation  with  Himself,  from  which  they  have  for  hundreds  of 
years  been  cut  off  because  of  rebellion  against  His  Word.  At  that  time, 
all  shall  come  to  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with 
songs  of  joy. 

Key  Word:      New  covenant,  v.   31. 

Strong  Verses:      3,    33,    34. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  33,  34.  This  can  be  applied  in  the  Gospel  dispensation 
to  those  who  have  accepted  Jesus  Christ,  those  who  are  yielded  to  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  have  God's  will  revealed  to  them,  and  have  the  assurance 
that  their  sins  through  Christ  are  remembered  no  more. 


Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Four  JEREMIAH 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:  Sign  of  the  field  of  Hanameel.  Jeremiah's  second  persecution,  his 
prayer  and  Jehovah's  answer. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  Zedekiah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Hanameel,  Baruch. 

Conclusion:  When  we  are  perplexed  about  the  methods  of  God's  providence, 
it  is  good  to  go  to  Him  in  prayer,  by  which  we  shall  be  taught  that  not 
one  word  of  all  His  counsel  shall  fail.  Though  we  cannot  reconcile  one 
word  with  another,  we  may  be  sure  both  words  are  true  and  both  will 
be  made  good. 

Key  Word:      Chastisement  and  promises,  v.  42. 

Strong  Verses:      17,  19,  27. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  God,  who  has  been  faithful  to  His  threatenings  against 
Israel  throughout  the  centuries,  will  just  as  certainly  fulfill  His  promise  to 
the  remnant  of  them  in  His  own  good  time  when  Christ  returns.  They 
will  surely  be  re-gathered  as  a  nation  and  made  fruitful  unto  God  (v.  42). 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:      Prophecy  concering  the  Davidic  kingdom. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  The  Davidic  covenant  will  in  God's-  own  time  be  literally  ful- 
filled, to  the  great  joy  of  the  remnant  of  Israel  when  Christ  shall  come 
to  execute  judgment  in  righteousness  in  the  earth.  Their  sins  will  be 
purged  away,  their  nation  will  be  honored  by  all  nations,  and  to  crown  all 
their  blessings,  they  will  recognize  Christ  as  their  righteousness  and 
worship  Him  as  their  King  and  Lord. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  joy,  v.  11. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  Christ  is  the  Branch  of  righteousness,  born  of  David's 
line  and  holding  legal  title  to  the  promised  throne.  While  under  the 
gospel  He  is  made  "righteousness  unto  all  true  believers,"  at  His  return 
He  will  be  acknowledged  by  Israel  who  rejected  Him  as  their  righteous- 
ness. 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Message  to  Zedekiah  concerning  the  coming  captivity.  Zedekiah's 
ineffectual  decree. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah,   Nebuchadnezzar,   Zedekiah. 

Conclusion:  God's  compassion  toward  us  should  engage  our  compassion  toward 
our  fellow-men,  and  in  any  case  the  plain  statement  of  His  Word  should 
be  obeyed.  Those  who  will  not  be  in  subjection  to  God's  law  put  them- 
selves under  His  wrath  and  curse. 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.    22. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Obedience  of  the  Rechabites  in  the  reign  of  Jehoiakim. 
Characters:      God,   Jeremiah,   Jehoiakim,   Jaazaniah,   sons   of  Hanan,   Jonadab, 

Nebuchadnezzar. 
Conclusion:      The  obedience  of  many  unsaved   people  to   the   moral   laws   laid 

down   by  wise   men   of  the  world   should   put   to   shame   many  professing 

Christians  who  are  disobedient  to  an  infinite  God  and  utterly  forget  His 

precepts. 
Key   Word:      Obedience,    v.    8. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  writing  in  the  days  of  Jehoiakim.  Reading  on  the 
fast  day.  Burning  of  the  roll  and  orders  to  persecute  Jeremiah. 

Characters:  God,  Jeremiah,  Jehoiakim,  Josiah,  Baruch,  Gemariah,  Michaiah. 
Elishama,  Delaiah,  Elnathan,  Zedekiah,  Jehudi,  Jerahmeel,  Seraiah, 
Shelemiah. 

Conclusion:  Though  the  attempts  of  those  who  despise  the  Word  of  God  are 
very  daring,  yet  not  one  tittle  of  it  shall  fail.  Though  many  a  Bible  be 
burned,  this  cannot  abolish  it  nor  deter  the  accomplishment  of  its 
prophecies. 

Key  Word:      Book  burned,  vv.   2,   23. 


JEREMIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Five 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Jeremiah's  imprisonment  in  the   days  of  Zedekiah. 

Characters:  Zedekiah,  Coniah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Jeremiah,  Jehucal,  Zepha- 
niah,  Jonathan,  Irijah. 

Conclusion:  It  is  no  new  thing  for  those  who  have  faithfully  declared  the 
Word  of  God  and  are  the  best  friends  of  the  Lord,  to  be  represented  as 
enemies,  imprisoned  and  persecuted.  When  God's  servants  are  accused, 
they  may  boldly  deny  the  charge,  commit  their  cause  to  Him  who  judges 
righteously,  and  continue  to  contend  for  the  faith. 

Key  Word:      Imprisonment,  v.   15. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  imprisonment,  continued.  His  private  conference  with 
the  king. 

Characters:  Shephatiah,  Gedaliah,  Jucal,  Pashur,  Jeremiah,  Zedekiah,  Mal- 
chiah,  Ebed-melech,  Jonathan. 

Conclusion:  God's  faithful  ministers,  who  show  men  what  enemies  they  are 
to  themselves,  are  often  looked  upon  as  enemies  of  the  country,  and  are 
wickedly  abused.  They  may,  however,  commit  the  keeping  of  their  spirits 
to  God,  their  Rewarder,  who  can  even  raise  up  friends  for  them  in  their 
distress  (vv.  8,  9),  if  it  be  for  His  glory. 

Key  Word:      Persecuted,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      20. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:      Final    captivity    of    Judah    in    accordance    with    the    prophets. 

Characters:  Zedekiah,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Nergal-sharezer,  Samgar-nebo,  Sar- 
sechim,  Rab-saris,  Rab-mag,  Nebuzaradan,  Jeremiah,  Nebushasban,  Ge- 
daliah, Ebed-melech. 

Conclusion:  Truly  there  is  a  God  who  judges  in  the  earth  in  this  world  as 
well  as  in  the  next.  When  sin  has  provoked  Him  to  withdraw  His  pro- 
tection, the  greatest  city  is  helpless  (the  false  prophets  fell  by  those 
judgments  which  they  said  would  never  come.  The  true  prophet  Jere- 
miah escaped  those  judgments  which  he  maintained  would  come). 

Key  Word:      Broken  up,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      17,   18. 

CHAPTER  FORTY 

Contents:      Jeremiah   discharged.      The  Jews  under  Gedeliah  as  Governor. 

Ishmael's  design  against  Gedeliah. 
Characters:      God,    Jeremiah,    Nebuzaradan,    Gedeliah,    Ishmael,    Johanan,    Ser- 

aiah,   Jezaniah,   Baalis. 
Conclusion:      Sooner  or  later  God's  true  prophets  will  be  justified  before  the 

persecutors,  and  they  will  be  made  sensible  that  their  sin  is  the  cause  of 

all  their  misery.      (God  in  His  wrath  still  remembers  mercy  and  admits  a 

remnant  upon  a  further  trial  of  their  obedience.) 
Key  Word:      Jeremiah   loosed,   v.    4.      Remnant   of   Judah,   v.    11. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-ONE 

Contents:      Gedeliah  slain,  and  many  Jewish  captives  released  by  Johanan. 

Characters:      Ishmael,  Gedeliah,  Asa,  Nebuzaraden,  Johanan. 

Conclusion:  God  sometimes  permits  bloody  work  to  be  done  for  the  completing 
of  the  ruin  of  an  unhumbled  people  and  the  filling  up  of  the  measure  of 
their  judgments.  Murderous  work  should  inspire  us  with  awe  of  God's 
judgments,  as  well  as  with  indignation  at  the  wickedness  of  men. 

Key  Word:      Murder,  v.  2. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-TWO 

Contents:  God's  answer  to  the  inquiry  of  the  people  and  Jeremiah  concern- 
ing the  calamities  recently  befallen.  God's  charge  to  the  people  in  the 
land. 

Characters:      God,  Johanan,  Jezaniah,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  In  very  difficult  circumstances,  our  eyes  must  be  upon  God  for 
direction,  and  our  hearts  much  be  intent  on  obeying  His  voice.  It  is 
folly  to  quit  the  place  where  God  has  put  us  merely  because  we  have  met 


Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Six  JEREMIAH 

with  trouble  in  it.     The  difficulty  we  think  to  escape  by  disobeying  God's 

voice  we  will  inevitably  run  ourselves  into. 
Key   Word:      Admonished,   v.    11. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-THREE 

Contents:  Jeremiah  carried  to  Tahpanhes  in  Egypt.  Sign  of  the  hidden 
stones. 

Characters:  God,  Azariah,  Johanan,  Baruch,  Nebuzaradan,  Gedeliah,  Nebuch- 
adnezzar. 

Conclusion:  It  is  common  for  unhumbled  men  who  persist  in  sin  to  represent 
those  who  speak  God's  word  as  grafters  having  designs  for  themselves. 
However,  this  does  not  change  the  Word  of  God,  and  those  who  think 
to  better  themselves  by  going  contrary  to  the  Scriptures  will  come  to  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Disobedience,  v.  4. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Message  to  the  Jews  in  Egypt.  Further  judgments  threatened. 
Contempt  of  the  people  for  the  admonitions. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  Pharaoh-hophra,  Zedekiah,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Conclusion:  God's  past  dealings  with  sinful  people  should  be  a  warning  to  us 
of  the  danger  of  sin  and  the  fatal  consequences  of  it.  To  those  who  are 
impenitent  sinners  God  will  be  found  an  implacable  Judge.  In  a  con- 
test between  God's  Word  and  man's  word,  God's  Word  will  be  sure  to 
stand. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah  provoked,  v.    8. 

Strong  Verses:      28    (b). 

CHAPTER    FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Message  of  Baruch   in  the   days   of  Jehoiakim. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  Baruch. 

Conclusion:  God  takes  notice  of  the  frets  and  discontents  of  His  people  and 
is  displeased  with  them.  To  seek  great  things  for  ourselves  when  the 
public  is  in  danger  is  unbecoming.  We  should  count  even  the  preservation 
of  our  lives  in  such  times  a  great  mercy,  and  continue  faithful  to  our 
service. 

Key  Word:      Impending  evil,  v.  5. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-SIX 

Contents:      Prophecies    against   Egypt. 

Characters:      God,    Jeremiah,    Pharaoh-Necho,    Nebuchadrezzar. 

Conclusion:  When  men  think  to  magnify  themselves  by  pushing  on  unrighte- 
ous enterprises,  let  them  expect  that  God  will  sooner  or  later  glorify  Him- 
self by  blasting  them  and  making  an  end  of  them,  for  He  has  numberless 
hosts  at  His  command.' 

Key  Word:      Day  of  vengeance,  v.   10. 

Strong  Verses:      28. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  27,  28,  certainly  look  forward  to  the  judgments  of  the 
nations  at  the  coming  of  Christ  (Matt.  25:42)  after  Armageddon,  (Rev. 
16:14),  and  the  deliverance  of  Israel. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Prophecies   against    Philistia   and   Tyre    and    Sidon. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  The  sword  of  the  Word,  as  it  is  charged  from  the  Lord  of  Hosts 
to  punish  the  crimes  of  nations,  cannot  be  sheathed  until  it  has  accom- 
plished that  for  which  He  has  sent  it. 

Key   Word:      Cut   off,    v.    4. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  7. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Prophecy  against  Moab. 
Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Jehovah  has  all  armies  at  His  command.  He  will  in  His  own 
time  plead  the  cause  of  His  people  against  a  people  that  have  always  been 


JEREMIAH  Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Seven 

vexatious  to  them  and  rebellious  toward  Him,  and  will  punish  them  until 

there  is  nothing  left  of  them. 
Key  Word:      Spoiling  and  destruction,  v.  3. 
Strong    Verses:      10. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-NINE 

Contents:  Prophecies  against  the  Ammonites,  Edom,  Damascus,  Kedar,  king- 
doms of  Hazor,  Elam. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah,   Nebuchadrezzar,   Zedekiah. 

Conclusion:  Nations  that  despise  and  persecute  God's  people  may  make  a 
mighty  figure  for  a  time,  but  their  pride  shall  deceive  them,  for  God  will 
surely  visit  them  with  desolations,  and  they  themselves  shall  be  despised 
among  men. 

Key  Word:      Desolations,   v.    2. 

Strong  Verses:      16    (a). 


CHAPTER   FIFTY 

Contents:      Prophecies  against   Babylon   and   Chaldea. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah,  King  of  Assyria,  Nebuchadrezzar. 

Conclusion:  The  pride  of  men's  hearts  sets  God  against  them  and  ripens 
them  in  due  time  for  utter  ruin.  Whatever  wrong  is  done  against  God's 
people  will  certainly  be  reckoned,  for  though  God  may  have  used  their 
persecutions  for  the  good  of  His  people,  God  has  a  variety  of  instruments 
at  command  in  the  earth,  and  when  He  opens  His  armories,  all  enemies 
will  find  themselves  overmatched. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  v.  28. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    25. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  34.  It  is  the  comfort  of  Christians  in  distress  that  they 
have  a  Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  strong,  and  will  thoroughly  plead 
their  cause  and  give  them  rest. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-ONE 

Contents:      Prophecies    against    Babylon,    continued. 

Characters:      God,    Jeremiah,   Nebuchadrezzar,    Seraiah. 

Conclusion:  Let  no  nation  think  it  will  exempt  them  from  God's  judgment 
that  they  have  been  executing  God's  judgments  on  others.  Those  who 
have  proudly  carried  everything  before  them  will  at  length  meet  with  their 
match,  and  their  day  will  come  to  pass. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  v.   9. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   15. 

CHAPTER    FIFTY-TWO 

Contents:  A  retrospect:  overthrow  and  capture  of  Judah.  The  latter  days 
of  Jehoiachin. 

Characters:  Zedekiah,  Jeremiah,  Jehoiachin,  Jehoiakim,  Nebuchadrezzar, 
Seraiah,  Zephaniah,  Evil-merodach. 

Conclusion:  Iniquity  leads  to  the  certain  ruin  of  those  who  follow  it,  and  if 
it  be  not  forsaken  will  certainly  end  by  the  sinner  being  cast  out  of  God's 
presence.  The  unbelief  of  man  shall  not  make  God's  threatenings  of  no 
effect,  but  events  will  fully  answer  the  predictions  of  His  Word. 

Key  Word:      Behold  His  anger,  v.  3. 


Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Eight  BOOK  OF  LAMENTATIONS 

LAMENTATIONS 


Key  Thought:             Number 

Chastening 

of  Chapters: 

5 

Key  Verse:             Christ  seen  as: 

2:11                   Man  of  Sorrows 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Jeremiah 

Date: 

About  588  B.C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Sin  brings  misery.     The 
compassion    of    Jehovah 
for   the   subjects   of  His 
wrath,  is  marvelous. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Jeremiah's  first  complaint  of  the  calamities  of  Judah.  Appeal  to 
God  for  deliverance. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Whatever  our  troubles  are  which  God  is  pleased  to  inflict  upon 
us,  we  must  own  that  therein  He  is  righteous  and  we  are  sinful.  Our 
fetters  are  usually  of  our  own  making,  and  it  is  with  our  own  rod  that  we 
are  beaten.  Those  who  are  without  God's  presence  are  without  all  true 
comfort. 

Key  Word:      Comforters,  vv.  2,  17,  21. 

Strong   Verses:      18    (b). 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Lamentation  on  the  effect  of  the  calamities  of  Judah.  God's  pas- 
sionate consideration  appealed  to. 

Characters:      God,   Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  The  wormwood  and  gall  in  affliction  is  the  thought  that  God 
has  become  one's  enemy  in  His  hot  displeasure  at  sin.  In  all  sore  provi- 
dences, it  is  well  to  reflect  that  God  has  fulfilled  His  Word,  for  there  will 
be  found  to  be  a  perfect  agreement  between  the  judgments  of  God's  hand 
and  those  threatened  by  His  Word  upon  the  unrepentant. 

Key  WTord:      Swallowed  up,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      17    (a). 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Complaint  of  God's  displeasure  and  comfort  to  God's  people.  Ap- 
peal to  God's  justice  against  persecutors. 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Bad  as  things  may  be,  it  is  owing  to  the  mercy  of  God  that  they 
are  not  worse,  for  if  we  had  been  dealt  with  according  to  our  sins,  we 
should  have  been  consumed  long  ago.  Since  we  are  dealt  with  accord- 
ing to  God's  mercy,  we  should  acknowledge  it  to  His  praise. 

Key   Word:      Bitterness,    v.    15. 

Strong  Verses:      22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  31,  32,  33. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Lamentation  on  the  direful  effects  of  calamities  of  Judah.  Sins 
of  the  leaders  acknowledged. 

Characters:      God,    Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  Nothing  ripens  a  people  more  for  ruin,  nor  fills  the  measure 
faster  than  the  sins  of  the  priests  and  prophets  (v.  13),  by  which  they 
are  led  blindly  away  from  God  and  into  His  judgments. 

Key  Word:      Devoured,   v.    11. 

Strong    Verses :      9 . 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Lamentation  of  the  state  of  Judah  in  captivity.  Supplications  for 
the  return  of  mercy. 


LAMENTATIONS  Page  One  Hundred  Seventy-Nine 

Characters:      God,  Jeremiah. 

Conclusion:  All  our  woes  are  owing  to  our  own  sin  and  folly,  and  God  is 
therefore  righteous  in  it.  Though  we  may  not  quarrel  with  God,  we  may 
yet  plead  with  Him  and  hope  for  mercy  even  when  He  seems  to  have 
utterly  forsaken. 

Key  Word:      No  rest,  vv.  7,  15. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  19. 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighty  BOOK,  OF  EZEKIEL 

E  ZE  K  I  E  L 

Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Visions  48  1:1  High  Priest  of  God 

Writer  of  the  Book:  Date:  Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  is  marvelously  good 
to  those  who  show  a 

Ezekiel  About  570-590  B.  C.  desire      to      walk      with 

Him,  and  terribly  severe 
upon  those  who  persist- 
ently rebel  against  Him. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Vision    of    the    glory. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Christ,  Ezekiel,  Jehoiachin,  (v.  26). 

Conclusion:  While  no  man  has  seen  God  at  any  time,  many  have  had 
visions  of  Him,  displays  of  divine  glory,  which  prostrated  man  before  Him  in 
humbled  sense  of  his  own  unworthiness,  and  of  the  infinite  distance  be- 
tween man  and  God.  The  more  God  is  pleased  to  make  known  to  us  of 
His  glory,  the  more  humble  we  should  be  before  Him. 

Key  Word:      Visions  of  God,  v.   1. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  26.  We  have  here  a  glimpse  of  the  glory  and  dignity  of 
Christ  at  His  incarnation,  a  hint  of  what  His  condescension  was  in  taking 
upon  Himself  the  form  of  a  servant  and  giving  Himself  to  the  death  of  the 
cross. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Ezekiel  filled  with  the  Spirit,   and  his  divine  command. 

Characters:      God,   Christ,   Holy  Spirit,   Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  If  we  stand  ready  to  be  used  of  God,  we  may  expect  that  He 
will  give  us  a  commission.  He  is  pleased  to  work  that  in  us  which  He 
requires  of  us.  Those  who  will  do  anything  to  purpose  in  His  service 
must  not  be  afraid  of  the  voice  of  man,  but  faithfully  deliver  the  message 
regardless  of  its  reception. 

Key  Word:      Called,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  It  is  Christ's  prerogative  to  call  ministers,  enjoin  them 
in  their  work,  and  fill  them  with  the  Spirit  for  it  (John  15:16). 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Ezekiel's  commission,  continued.  Again  filled  with  the  Spirit. 
His  dumbness. 

Characters:      God,    Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Ministers  are  God's  mouth  to  the  children  of  men,  but  must  not 
undertake  to  preach  the  things  of  God  until  the  Word  of  God  has  become 
part  of  themselves.  Those  who  keep  close  to  Him  need  not  fear  the  proud 
looks  of  men.  If  the  minister  is  not  faithful  to  his  trust,  a  loss  of  souls 
will  be  charged  upon  him  in  the  day  of  account.  Though  ministers  do 
not  faithfully  warn  the  wicked,  it  shall  not  be  admitted  as  an  excuse  for 
sin — the  wicked  will  die  in  their  iniquity. 

Key  Word:      Watchman,  v.   17. 

Strong  Verses:      8,   9,   18,   19,   27. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  sign  of  the  tile.      Typical  representations. 

Characters:      God,    Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  If  men  will  not  serve  God  with  cheerfulness  in  the  abundance 
of  all  things,  God  will  make  them  serve  their  enemies  in  the  want  of  all 
things.  In  times  of  public  distress,  God's  ministers  must  be  willing  to 


EZEKIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-One 

endure  hardness  that  they  may  evidence  the  sincerity  of  their  faith  and 
serve  the  glory  of  God. 
Key  Word:      Israel's  iniquity,  v.  5. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Sign  of  the  sharp  knife.  Famine,  pestilence  and  the  sword  impend- 
ing. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  When  nations  (or  persons)  are  made  great,  it  is  with  design  that 
they  may  do  good,  and  that  they  may  be  as  a  light  to  other  nations.  Con- 
tempt of  God's  Word  opens  the  door  to  all  manner  of  iniquity,  and  brings 
judgments  that  utterly  destroy.  Those  who  refuse  God's  terms  of  pros- 
perity cannot  expect  the  continuance  of  His  favor. 

Key  Word:      Judgments,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  8. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Message  against  the  mountains  of  Israel.     Remnant  to  be  spared. 

Desolations  upon  the  land. 
Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 
Conclusion:      If  men  do  not,  as  they  ought,  destroy  idolatry,  God  will  first  or 

last  find  a  way  to  do  it,  for  idolatry  is  spiritual  whoredom,  and  therefore 

a  great  wrong  to  God's  honor. 
Key  Word:      Desolations,   v.   4. 
Strong   Verses :      10. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Miserable  end  of  Judah  because  of  sin. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  The  ruin  of  sinners  comes  slowly  but  surely,  but  when  it  comes, 
it  will  be  total.  In  the  heaviest  judgments  God  inflicts,  He  does  but  recom- 
pense to  sinners  their  own  ways.  They  are  beaten  with  a  rod  of  their 
own  making. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  trouble,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  19. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Third  vision  of  the  glory.  The  former  profanation  of  the  temple 
and  God's  anger  because  of  sin. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Jaazaniah. 

Conclusion:  Those  are  ripe  indeed  for  ruin  who  have  given  themselves  over 
to  idols,  turning  their  backs  upon  God  and  His  Word.  When  their  pun- 
ishment comes,  God  will  be  as  deaf  to  their  cries  as  their  own  idols,  to 
which  they  vainly  cried  before. 

Key  Word:      Abominations,  v.  6. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Visions  of  the  slaying  in  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,   Ezekiel,   Christ. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  live  in  sin  and  hate  to  be  reformed,  despising  God's 
Word,  will  perish  in  sin,  and  deserve  not  to  be  pitied,  for  they  could  have 
prevented  their  ruin,  but  would  not.  None  of  those,  however,  shall  be  lost 
whom  God  has  marked  for  life  and  salvation. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  recompense,  v.   10. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  man  clothed  in  fine  linen  certainly  represents  Christ 
as  Mediator,  saving  those  who  are  His  from  the  flaming  sword  of  ven- 
geance coming  upon  the  earth.  This  He  will  do  at  the  end  of  the  age. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:      Visions  of  the  altar  fire  scattered  over  Jerusalem.     Description  of 

the  cherubim. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Ezekiel. 
Conclusion:      God's  glory  and  government  infinitely  transcend  all  the  brightest 

ideas  our  minds  can  receive  concerning  them.     The  wheels  of  his  provi- 


\j\ju 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Two  EZEKIEL 

dence  move  with  steadiness  and  regularity,  and  all  His  disposals  may  be 
looked  upon  with  wonder,  for  whatever  He  pleases  He  does. 

Key  Word:      Glory,  v.  4. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  man  in  fine  linen  (same  as  Chap.  9).  The  same 
Jesus  who  is  the  Saviour  and  Protector  of  those  who  believe,  as  all  judg- 
ment is  committed  to  Him,  will  come  in  flaming  fire  to  take  vengeance 
upon  sinners. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  Vision  of  wrath  against  lying  princes.  Promise  to  spare  the  rem- 
nant. Israel's  coming  restoration  and  converson.  Departure  of  the  glory 
from  Jerusalem. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Ezekiel,   Jaazaniah,   Pelatiah. 

Conclusion:  The  fear  of  the  wicked  shall  come  upon  him,  and  there  is  no 
fence  against  the  judgment  of  God.  Woe  to  those  entrusted  with  God's 
message,  who  have  hidden  from  the  people  the  things  belonging  to  their 
peace,  for  in  the  day  of  recompense  God  will  lay  at  their  door  the  guilt  of 
souls  perishing  on  their  account. 

Key  Word:      Judgment,  v.  10.      (Remnant,  v.  13.) 

Strong  Verses:      19,20,21. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  17,  21.  At  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ,  the  Jews  will  be 
given  a  new  heart,  not  divided  as  it  has  been  through  the  ages  among 
many  gods,  a  new  spirit  agreeable  to  Christ,  whom  they  hated.  They  will 
look  upon  Him  whom  they  pierced  and  will  mourn. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Vision  of  the  prophet  as  a  sign.     Full  captivity  near  at  hand. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Sinners  often  try  to  think  their  works  are  not  evil  because  sen- 
tence upon  them  is  not  executed  speedily.  Putting  the  evil  day  far  off 
only  provokes  God  to  bring  it  sooner,  and  to  make  it  so  much  the  sorer, 
and  so  much  more  a  surprise  and  terror. 

Key  Word:      Captivity   (vv.  7,   11)   at  hand    (v.   23). 

Strong  Verses :      2  5  ( a ) . 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Message  against  lying  prophets. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Since  the  devil  is  the  father  of  lies,  those  put  the  highest  affront 
upon  God  who,  claiming  to  be  his  prophets,  tell  lies  and  father  them  upon 
God.  A  thousand  woes  upon  those  who  have  thus  deceived  the  people 
and  made  God  their  enemy.  Though  they  had  claimed  to  be  favorites  of 
heaven,  they  will  in  the  last  day  be  shown  to  be  the  favorites  of  the  devil. 

Key  Word:      False   prophets,  v.    3. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  Matt.  7:22-23.  It  is  Christ  who  will  say  to  the  false  preachers 
in  that  day,  "I  never  knew  you." 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:  Vision  of  the  elders  of  Israel.  Jerusalem  on  no  account  to  be 
spared. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Noah,   Job,  Daniel. 

Conclusion:  Many  who  have  no  idols  in  their  sanctuary  have  idols  in  their 
hearts,  which  is  no  less  a  usurpation  of  God's  throne.  Those  who  have 
made  gods  of  money  and  sensual  pleasure  cannot  expect  an  answer  of 
peace  from  God,  but  on  the  contrary  are  ripening  for  utter  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Heart  idols,  v.  3.      (Sore  judgments,  v.  21.) 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

Contents:      Vision  of  the  burning  vine. 
Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  set  their  faces  against  God  to  contradict  His  Word 
and  defeat  His  purposes  will  find  His  face  set  against  them  to  their  ruin. 


EZEKIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Three 

Though  they  may  come  out  of  one  trouble  with  little  hurt,  they  will  soon 
fall  into  another  and  another  until  they  are  entirely  devoured  by  the  fires, 
of  His  wrath. 
Key  Word:      Devour,  v.  7. 

CHAPTER   SIXTEEN 

Contents:  The  harlotry  of  Jerusalem,  and  threatening  of  destroying  judg- 
ments. Promises  of  future  blessing  under  the  new  covenant. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Let  not  men  flatter  themselves  with  a  conceit  that  because  God 
has  hitherto  continued  His  favors  to  them,  notwithstanding  their  provoca- 
tions, He  will  continue  to  do  so,  for  ultimately  as  they  have  forsaken  God, 
they  will  be  utterly  forsaken  to  ruin  by  God.  If  sin  is  not  cast  off  by  re- 
pentance, it  must  be  borne  to  eternal  confusion. 

Key  Word:      Jerusalem's  harlotry,     vv.  16,  35. 
ng  Verses :      59. 

CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

>ntents:      Parable  of  the  great  eagle.     Rebellion  of  Zedekiah  and  its  results. 
Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Zedekiah,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:      He  who  breaks  covenant  with  God,  and  tramples  the  directions 
of  His  Word  under  foot,  cannot  hope  to  be  delivered  from  that  vengeance 
which  is  the  just  punishment  of  such   treachery.      God   can  without  any 
difficulty  root  up  sinful  men  and  whole  kingdoms. 
Key  Word:      Broken  covenant,  vv.  18,   19. 

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

Contents:      Ethical   instructions    for   Israel   in   captivity. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  He  who  makes  conscience  of  conforming  in  everything  to  the 
will  of  God,  who  makes  it  his  business  to  serve  God,  and  his  aim  to  glorify 
God,  shall  without  fail  be  happy  here  and  hereafter,  and  wherein  he  comes 
short  of  his  duty,  it  shall  be  forgiven  him.  Let  the  impenitent  thank 
themselves  if  they  fall  under  God's  curse,  for  the  soul  that  sinneth  shall 
neither  have  peace  in  this  life  nor  salvation  in  the  next.  The  God  of  heaven 
has  no  delight  in  man's  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Righteousness  and  wickedness,  v.  20. 

Strong  Verses:      4,    9,   20,   21,    22,    23,    32. 

CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

Contents:      Lamentation  for  princes  of  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  God's  ministers  who  have  foretold  His  judgments  upon  sinners 
should  bitterly  lament  the  destruction  of  sinners  when  it  comes,  as  those 
who  have  not  desired  the  woeful  day.  Sinners  may  thank  themselves  for 
the  fire  that  consumes  them,  for  they  have  by  their  wickedness  made  them- 
selves like  tinder  to  the  sparks  of  God's  wrath. 

Key  Word:      Lamentation,  vv.   1,  14. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY 

Contents:  Jehovah  vindicated  in  the  chastising  of  Israel.  Israel's  future  judg- 
ment. Parable  of  the  forest  of  the  south  field. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  God  takes  it  as  an  affront  when  those  come  to  inquire  of  Him 
who  are  resolved  to  go  on  in  their  trespasses.  He  is  indeed  long-suffering 
with  sinners,  and  it  is  owing  purely  to  His  mercy,  which  guards  His  own 
glory,  that  they  are  not  immediately  made  an  end  of.  If  men  will  not 
acknowledge  God  as  their  ruler,  they  will  have  to  face  Him  as  Judge  when 
it  is  too  late. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  long-suffering,  vv.  9,  14,  17,  22. 

Strong  Verses:      19,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  33-44.  This  prophecy  has  to  do  with  the  future  judgment 
of  Israel  at  Christ's  Coming.  The  issue  determines  who  of  Israel  in  that 
day  shall  enter  the  land  for  kingdom  blessing.  (Ezekiel  20:38;  Psalm 
50:1-7;  Malachi  3:2-5;  4:1,  2.) 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Four  EZEKIEL 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

Contents:  Parable  of  the  sighing  prophet,  and  of  the  sword  of  God.  No  king 
for  Israel  until  Messiah  comes  to  reign. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Ezekiel,  King  of  Babylon. 

Conclusion:  When  the  sword  is  unsheathed  among  nations,  God's  hand  must 
be  owned  in  it,  for  His  wrath  against  sin  often  puts  an  edge  upon  the  sword, 
and  the  instruments  He  uses  in  executing  judgments,  He  fills  with  strength 
and  fury  according  to  the  service  they  are  employed  in. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  sword,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      27. 

Striking  Fact:  v.  27.  Jesus  Christ  has  incontestable  title  to  the  kingship,  not 
only  of  Israel,  but  the  whole  world,  and  in  due  time  He  will  have  the  pos- 
session. Until  that  time,  there  will  be  a  general  and  continual  overturning 
of  kingdoms. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

Contents:  Sins  of  Israel  enumerated.  Parable  of  the  dross  in  the  furnace. 
Sins  of  priests,  prophets  and  people. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Whatever  God's  wrath  inflicts  upon  a  people,  it  is  their  own  way 
that  is  recompensed  upon  their  heads,  and  God  deals  with  them  much  bet- 
ter than  their  iniquity  deserves. 

Key  Word:      Abominations,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      14,30,31. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

Contents:      Parable  of  Aholah  and  Aholibah.     Sentence  passed  upon  Judah. 

Characters:      Ezekiel,  Aholah,  Aholibah. 

Conclusion:  Whatever  creature  we  dote  upon  we  make  an  idol  of,  and  what 
we  make  an  idol  of,  we  defile  ourselves  with.  Forgetfulness  of  God  is  at 
the  bottom  of  all  such  adulterous  departures  from  Him. 

If  men  will  not  part  with  their  spiritual  whoredoms,  they  must  bear 
the  consequences  of  them. 

Key  Word:      Whoredoms,  v.  8. 

Strong  Verses:      49. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

Contents:      Parable  of  the  boiling  pot.     Ezekiel  again  made  a  sign  to  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  King  of  Babylon. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  day  coming  when  it  will  be  said,  "He  that  is  filthy, 
let  him  be  filthy  still."  The  declarations  of  God's  wrath  against  sinners 
are  as  inviolable  as  the  assurances  He  has  given  His  people  of  His  favor. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance  v.  8. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-FIVE 

Contents:  Prophecy  against  the  Ammonites,  Moabites,  Edomites  and  Philis- 
tines. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  glory  in  any  other  defence  than  divine  power  and 
promises  will  sooner  or  later  see  cause  to  be  ashamed  of  their  glory. 
Those  who  rejoice  in  the  calamities  befalling  God's  people  will  shortly  be 
reckoned  with. 

Key  Word:      Judgments,  v.  11. 

CHAPTER    TWENTY-SIX 

Contents:      Coming  judgment  upon  Tyre. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Conclusion:  It  is  just  with  God  to  blast  the  designs  and  projects  of  those 
who  contrive  to  raise  themselves  upon  the  ruin  of  others,  and  let  them 
not  expect  to  prosper  long,  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  against  them  to 
bring  them  down  to  the  dust. 

Key  Word:      Tyrus'  destruction,  v.  17. 

CHAPTER   TWENTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Lamentation   for   Tyre. 
Characters:      God,   Ezekiel. 


EZEKIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Five 

Conclusion:  God  takes  notice  of  the  vain  conceits  men  have  of  themselves 
in  their  prosperity.  When  they  pride  themselves  on  pomp  and  pleasure, 
and  think  themselves  perfect,  because  of  their  worldliness,  He  will  find  a 
way  to  bring  down  their  estate  to  the  dust. 

Key  Word:      Lamentation,  vv.  2,  32. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Rebuke  of  the  King  of  Tyre,  and  the  fate  of  Satan  who  inspired 

him.  Zidon's  judgment  and  Israel's  re-gathering. 
Characters:  God,  Ezekiel,  Daniel,  King  of  Tyre,  Satan. 
Conclusion:  Those  who  pretend  to  be  rivals  with  God  will  certainly  be  shown 

that  they  are  but  men — weak,  timorous,  trembling  and  perishing  men. 
Key  Word:      Brought  down,  vv.   8,   17. 
Strong  Verses:      17    (See   Rev.    20:10). 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  12-18  go  beyond  the  King  of  Tyre  to  Satan,  the  real  but 

unseen  ruler  of  Tyre.     His  unfallen  state  is  here  described.     For  his  fall 

see  Isa.   14:12-14. 

CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

Contents:      Prophecy  against   Egypt. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Pharaoh,  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  abuse  their  power  will  justly  be  stripped  of  it.  Those 
who  pride  themselves  in  prosperity,  forgetting  that  God  is  proprietor  of 
the  earth,  will  be  forced  out  of  it.  God  may  even  use  bad  men  as  tools 
to  bring  about  His  purposes. 

Key  Word:      Desolations,  v.   9. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY 

Contents:  Egypt  in  the  day  of  Jehovah.  God  against  Pharaoh  in  the  war 
with  Babylon. 

Characters:      God,   Ezekiel,   Nebuchadnezzar,    Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  Nothing  can  protect  a  provoking  people  when  God  comes  forth 
to  contend  with  them.  God  often  makes  one  wicked  man  a  scourge  to  an- 
other for  the  executing  of  His  judgments  upon  sin. 

Key  Word:      Judgments,  v.  19. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-ONE 

Contents:      Prophecy  against  Pharaoh. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Pharaoh. 

Conclusion:  It  is  rare  to  find  a  humble  spirit  in  the  midst  of  great  advance- 
ment. God  can  easily  expel  those  who  think  themselves,  and  seem  to 
others,  to  have  taken  deepest  root.  Pride  goeth  before  a  fall. 

Key  Word:      Pride  punished,  vv.  10,  11. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-TWO 

Contents:      Lamentation  for  Pharaoh  and  Egypt. 

Characters:      God,   Ezekiel,    Pharaoh,   Nebuchadrezzar. 

Conclusion:  Great  potentates,  if  they  be  tyrannical  and  oppressive,  are  in 
God's  account  no  better  than  beasts  of  prey,  and  will  be  shortly  devoured. 
The  nation  that  has  terrorized  others  will  eventually  be  made  a  terror 
to  itself.  (God's  messengers  should  sympathize  with  the  miseries  which 
sinners  bring  upon  themselves.  It  becomes  them  to  weep  for  sinners 
who  will  not  weep  for  themselves.) 

Key  Word:      Lamentation,  vv.   2,    16.      Terrors,  v.    32. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-THREE 

Contents:  Ethical  instructions  for  the  captivity.  Rebuke  to  those  who  are 
not  sincere  in  their  professions. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  Abraham. 

Conclusion:  God  warns  sinners  of  the  wrath  to  come  that  they  may  flee  from 
it.  Those  who  go  promiscuously  into  the  mouth  of  judgment,  though  they 
hear  the  warnings  of  God's  servants  against  the  dangers  of  sin,  have  de- 
stroyed themselves. 

Key  Word:      Warning,   v.    3. 

Strong  Verses:      8,    9,    11,    12,    13,    31,    32. 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Six-  EZEKIEL 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  12-13.  Many  have  been  ruined  by  trusting  to  the  merit 
of  their  own  righteousness,  and  thinking  that  God  is  so  much  their  debtor 
that  they  may  therefore  venture  to  commit  a  little  sin.  "The  righteous- 
ness of  the  righteous  shall  not  deliver  him."  (Rom.  4:5-8;  10:1). 
Happy  is  the  man  who  is  clothed  with  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ 
and  in  whom  Christ  lives.  (Gal.  2:20.) 

CHAPTER   THIRTY-FOUR 

Contents:  Message  to  the  faithless  shepherds  of  Israel.  Promise  of  restora- 
tion of  Israel,  and  setting  up  of  the  kingdom. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Those  will  have  a  great  deal  to  answer  for  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment who  took  upon  them  the  care  of  souls  as  under-shepherds,  yet  never 
took  any  care  of  them.  Happy  are  they  who  know  Christ,  the  Good  Shep- 
herd, being  fed  in  His  pastures  and  blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings 
in  Him. 

Key  Word:      Shepherds,  v.   2. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  15,  31. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  23,  29.  Jesus  is  coming  as  the  Great  Shepherd  (Heb.  13:20) 
to  gather  His  people  and  make  a  final  covenant  of  peace  with  Israel.  He 
is  the  "plant  of  renown,"  far  above  all  principalities  and  might  and  power 
and  dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world,  but 
that  which  is  to  come. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Prophecy  against  Mount  Seir. 

Characters:      God,   Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:      Those  who  have  a  perpetual  enmity  to  God  and  His  people  must 

expect   eventually  to   be   made   a   perpetual   desolation.      Those   who    have 

lived  to  shed  blood  will  be  given  blood  to  drink. 
Key  Word:      Desolations,  vv.   3,   9,   14. 
Strong  Verses:      6. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-SIX 

Contents:  Message  to  the  mountains  of  Israel.  Restoration  of  Israel  pre- 
dicted. Israel's  past  sins. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  put  shame  and  reproach  upon  God's  people,  though 
God  may  have  made  it  serve  a  purpose  to  His  end,  will  sooner  or  later 
have  it  turned  upon  themselves.  God  takes  occasion  from  the  insolence 
of  enemies  to  show  Himself  concerned  for  His  people,  ready  to  do  them 
good. 

Key  Word:      Mountains  of  Israel,  v.  1.      Restoration,  v.   24. 

Strong  Verses:      23    (b),   26,   27. 

Striking  Facts:  The  restoration  of  Israel  is  yet  future.  The  remnant  which 
returned  after  the  seventy  years  and  their  posterity  were  continually  under 
Gentile  yoke.  In  A.  D.  70  they  were  driven  into  dispersion,  which  still 
continues. 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      Vision  of  the  valley  of  dry  bones.      Sign  of  the  two  sticks. 

Characters:      God,   Holy  Spirit,   Ezekiel,   Joseph,   Ephraim,   Judah. 

Conclusion:  He  who  made  man  so  fearfully  and  wonderfully  can  in  like  man- 
ner make  him  new.  Scattered  atoms  can  be  marshalled  in  their  proper 
place  and  every  bone  can  be  made  to  come  to  its  place  by  the  same  wisdom 
and  power  by  which  bones  were  first  formed  in  the  womb. 

Key  Word:      Dry  bones,  v.   4. 

Strong  Verses:      5,    6,    28. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  22.  As  bone  came  to  bone,  so  the  Israelites  scattered  over 
the  earth  will  come  to  their  respective  families  and  tribes  in  the  last  day. 
Then  Christ  will  come  to  be  recognized  as  King,  in  allegiance  to  whom 
all  will  cheerfully  unite.  (Many  believe  David  will  sit  upon  the  literal 
throne  of  Jerusalem  as  representative  of  Christ,  the  great  Ruler  in  the  air 
above.) 


EZEKIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Seven 

CHAPTER  THIRTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Prophecy   against   Gog. 

Characters:      God,   Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:  God  does  not  only  see  those  who  are  now  the  enemies  of  His 
people,  but  foresees  those  who  will  be  so  in  the  last  days,  and  lets  them 
know  by  His  Word  that  He  is  against  them,  and  will  make  their  move- 
ments to  serve  His  own  purposes. 

Key  Word:      Gog,  v.   3.      (Latter  days,   v.    16.) 

Striking  Facts:  This  prophecy  should  be  read  in  connection  with  Zech.  12:1-4; 
14:1-9;  Matt.  24:14-30;  Rev.  14:14-20;  19:17-21.  Many  see  a  reference 
to  the  northern  European  powers  headed  by  Russia  in  the  last  days  to  wage 
a  great  war.  The  reference  to  Mesheck  (Moscow)  and  Tubal  (Zobolsk) 
is  thought  to  be  clear  identification.  The  prophecy  belongs  to  the  future 
battle  of  Armageddon. 

CHAPTER    THIRTY-NINE 

Contents:  Prophecy  against  Gog,  continued.  Vision  of  restored  and  con- 
verted Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Ezekiel,  Gog. 

Conclusion:  The  powers  in  the  last  days  that  rise  up  to  oppress  Israel  and 
work  havoc  in  the  earth  will  be  made  to  know  by  dear-bought  experience 
that  Jehovah  is  the  God  of  power  and  the  Saviour  of  Israel,  even  though 
they  seem  long  to  have  been  neglected  by  Him.  In  that  day  the  slaughter 
will  be  so  great  that  there  will  not  be  a  sufficient  number  of  the  enemies 
left  alive  to  bury  their  dead.  God  will  then  let  all  nations  know  the 
leaning  of  all  Israel's  troubles,  and  will  get  glory  to  Himself,  and  their 
cleansing  and  restoration. 

Key  Word:      Gog,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      21,   23,   24. 

CHAPTER   FORTY 

Contents:      Vision  of  the   man  with   the   measuring  reed.      The   future   temple 

and  its  service. 

Characters:      God,    Ezekiel,    sons   of   Zadok. 
Conclusion:      A   great  and   beautiful   temple,    framed   in   detail   in   the   counsel 

of  God,  is  to  be  set  up  in  Jerusalem  in  the  millennial  age,  for  the  setting 

forth  of  the  truths  of  God's  Word. 
Key  Word:      Temple. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-ONE 

Contents:      Further  description  of  the  temple. 
Characters:      God,   Ezekiel. 
Conclusion:      Same  as  Chap.   40. 
Key  Word:      Temple. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-TWO 

Contents:      Further  description  of  the  temple. 
Characters:      God,   Ezekiel. 
Conclusion:      Same  as  Chap.   40. 
ey  Word:      Temple. 


CHAPTER  FORTY-THREE 

Contents:      Vision  of  God's  glory  filling  the  temple.      Place  of  the  throne   of 
the  future  kingdom.      The  altar  and  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:      The  glory  of  God  shall  return  to  earth  in  the  kingdom  age,  filling 
the  new  temple,  and  Israel  will  once  more  offer  their  appointed  and  ac- 
ceptable sacrifices  in  praise  to  God. 
ey  Word:      Temple,  glory  (v.  2),  throne  (v.  7),  offerings  (vv.  18-27). 

CHAPTER    FORTY-FOUR 

Gate  for  the  prince.      God's  glory  filling  the  temple.      The  priests. 
God,   Ezekiel,  sons  of  Zadok,   prince. 


Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Eight  EZEKIEL 

Conclusion:  In  the  great  temple  of  Jehovah  in  the  kingdom  age,  Israel  shall 
worship  with  a  new  heart,  and  every  detail  of  the  temple  services  will  be 
carried  out  according  to  God's  appointment. 

Key    Word:      Temple    services. 

CHAPTER    FORTY-FIVE 

Contents:      Jehovah's   portion   of   the   land   and   the   prince's   portion. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  prince. 

Conclusion:  In  the  kingdom  age  Israel  will  honor  Jehovah  with  portions  of 
land  set  apart  for  divine  service.  Sin  offerings  will  be  offered  according 
to  God's  appointment,  for  while  sin  will  be  suppressed,  the  tendency  to  sin 
is  not  removed  until  the  new  heaven  and  new  earth  are  established. 

Key  Word:      Portion  of  land,  v.  1. 

CHAPTER  FORTY-SIX 

Contents:      Worship  of  the  prince  and  people,  and  the  offerings. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  prince. 

Conclusion:  Israel  will  acknowledge  their  dependence  upon  Jehovah  in  the 
kingdom  age  with  many  offerings  according  to  a  divine  plan  for  that 
period,  by  which  perfect  fellowship  may  be  maintained. 

Key  Word:      Offerings,   v.    4. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-SEVEN 

Contents:      River  of  the  new  sanctuary.      Borders  of  the  land. 

Characters:      God,    Ezekiel. 

Conclusion:      Rev.    22:1-2;    Zech.    14:8-9. 

Key  Word:      River  of  sanctuary,  v.  1;  borders,  v.  13. 

CHAPTER   FORTY-EIGHT 

Contents:      Division  of  the  land.      The  city  and  its  gates. 

Characters:      God,  Ezekiel,  prince. 

Conclusion:  The  tribes  of  Israel  will  in  the  kingdom  age  be  distributed 
according  to  the  divine  counsels  by  a  plan  different  from  that  previously 
known.  The  chief  glory  of  the  land  will  be  the  manifestations  of  Jehovah's 
presence  in  the  city  of  His  choice. 

Key  Word:      Borders,   v.    1. 

Strong  Verses:      35   (b). 


BOOK  OF  DANIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Eighty-Nine 

DANIEL 


Key  Thought:             Number 

Kingdom 

of  Chapters: 

12 

Key  Verse: 

2:22 

Christ  seen  as: 

King 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Daniel 

Date: 

'About  534  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  is  universal  sover- 
eign of  all — and  is  yet 
to  be  acknowledged  as 
such  by  all  men. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Personal  history  of  Daniel.      Reason  for  appearance  of  Daniel  and 

his  friends  before  Nebuchadnezzar. 
Characters:      Nebuchadnezzar,    Daniel,    Hananiah,    Judah,    Mishae;!,    Azariah, 

Ashpenaz,  Cyrus,  Jehoiakim,  Melzar. 
Conclusion:      Plain  living  and  high  thinking  go  together.     When  God's  people 

are  in  Babylon,  they  should  take  special  care  that  they  partake  not  of  her 

sins    (Psa.   141:4).     It  is  to  the  praise  of  God's  people  not  to  relish  the 

delights  of  sense,  but  to  look  upon  them  with  indifference. 
Key  Word:      Heart  purpose,  v.   8. 
Strong   Verses :      8 . 
Striking  Facts:      This   book   is   written   by   a   man   "greatly   beloved"    (9:23), 

and  deals  with  much  the  same  prophecies  as  those  of  Revelation  written 

by  "the  beloved  disciple,"    (John).      Note  similarity  between  the  two: 
1.      In   captivity.      Dan.    1:6;    8:2;    Rev.    1:9.      2.      Beloved.      10:11; 

John   13:23.      3.      Heard   the   Lord's   voice.      8:16;    10:9;    Rev.    1:10.      4. 

Saw  the  Lord's   face.      Dan.    10:6;    Rev.    1:14.      5.      Prostrated.      10:8-9; 

Rev.    1:17.      6.      Quickened.      10:10,    18;    Rev.    1:17.      7      Angel    taught. 

10:11,   12;   Rev.   1:1. 


CHAPTER  TWO 

mis:  Visions  of  Nebuchadnezzar  and  their  results.  The  forgotten  dream 
and  the  failure  of  the  astrologers.  Daniel's  interpretation  after  prayer 
for  wisdom. 

Characters:  Nebuchadnezzar,  Daniel,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  Abedego,  Arioch, 
Astrologers. 

Conclusion:  The  wisest  of  men  are  clouded  with  a  veil  of  flesh  which  con- 
founds their  understanding  of  divine  things.  The  sacred  things  belong 
to  the  Lord  our  God,  but  believers  by  prayer  are  let  into  His  mysteries 
concerning  the  last  days.  The  kings  of  earth  have  no  power  but  what  is 
given  them  from  above,  and  in  due  time  all  earth  kingdoms  will  be  done 
away  and  replaced  by  the  eternal  kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth. 

Key  Word:      Dreams,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      20,  21,  22,  44. 

Striking  Facts:  The  vision  has  to  do  with  the  course  of  the  times  of  the 
Gentiles,  during  which  four  great  world  kingdoms  would  succeed  each 
other.  The  last  of  the  four  (Rome)  would  divide  into  legs  and  then  into 
ten  toes  (7:27).  (Gentile  world  powers  of  the  last  days.)  The  smiting 
stone  (7:34-35)  is  to  destroy  this  system  of  kingdoms  in  its  final  form  by 
a  sudden  blow  from  heaven  (not  by  gradual  process).  (See  Dan.  7:1-28; 
Rev.  13-19.)  When  this  destruction  comes  it  will  be  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  will  fill  the  whole  earth  at  once. 
Christ  is  the  stone  cut  out  without  hands,  who  will  smite  the  nations,  and 
then  become  a  great  mountain,  filling  the  earth  with  His  glory. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

mtents:  Pride  of  Nebuchadnezzar  and  his  punishment.  The  image  of  gold. 
The  three  Jews  refuse  to  worship  the  image.  Fiery  furnace  proven  harm- 
less. The  king  convinced. 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety  DANIEL 

Characters:      God,  Nebuchadnezzar,   Shadrach,   Meshach,   Abednego. 

Conclusion:  We  should  obey  the  powers  that  be  until  they  tell  us  to  disobey 
and  dishonor  God  (Rom.  13:1),  then  we  should  obey  God  rather  than 
man  (Acts  5:29).  If  we  are  called  to  pass  through  the  fire,  Christ 
walked  there  before  us,  and  will  walk  there  with  us  (John  15:20),  and 
nothing  will  be  lost  by  being  true  to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Deliver,  vv.   17,   28. 

Strong  Verses:       17,  28. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  25.  Many  think  this  was  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  not  a 
created  angel.  Hereby  Christ  shows  that  what  is  done  against  His  people 
He  takes  as  done  against  Himself.  Whoever  throws  them  into  the  furnace 
do  in  effect  throw  Him  in  (Isa.  63:9).  Those  who  suffer  for  Him  are 
therefore  assured  of  His  precious  presence  with  them. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Nebuchadnezzar's  proclamation.  The  true  vision  and  its  interpre- 
tation. Vision  fulfilled;  the  restoration  of  Nebuchadnezzar. 

Characters:      God,   Daniel,   Nebuchadnezzar,    Astrologers. 

Conclusion:  God  has  power  to  humble  the  haughtiest  of  men  who  would  in 
their  pride  act  in  competition  with  Him.  Those  so  confident  of  their  own 
sufficiency  will  be  brought  sooner  or  later  to  own  God's  dominion  over 
them  and  their  own  utter  weakness.  Many  have  been  brought  to  them- 
selves by  being  made  beside  themselves. 

Key  Word:      Pride  abased,  v.  37. 

Strong  Verses:      35,    37. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  Daniel's  personal  history  under  Belshazzar  and  Darius.  The  pride 
of  Belshazzar  and  his  downfall.  The  writing  on  the  wall.  Its  interpre- 
tation and  fulfillment. 

Characters:  God,  Belshazzar,  Queen,  Daniel,  Darius,  Nebuchadnezzar,  Astrol- 
ogers. 

Conclusion:  God  expects  from  the  greatest  of  men  that  their  hearts  will  be 
humbled  before  Him  by  acknowledgment  that,  great  as  they  are,  to  Him 
they  are  accountable.  If  they  persist  in  their  pride  and  impenitence, 
they  will  be  made  to  know  that  the  Most  High  God  rules. 

Key  Word:      Pound  wanting,  v.   27. 

Strong  Verses:      21. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:  Daniel's  history  to  the  accession  of  Cyrus.  Decree  of  Darius. 
Daniel's  steadfastness.  Daniel  in  the  lion's  den  and  his  deliverance. 
Darius'  new  decree. 

Characters:      God,  Daniel,  Darius,  Princes. 

Conclusion:  "God  first"  means  "safety  first."  That  which  believers  do  faithful- 
ly in  conscience  toward  God  may  often  be  represented  as  done  with  obstinate 
motives  by  men,  but  God  knows  the  heart,  and  whatever  the  test,  will 
give  peace  and  deliverance,  and  will  clear  the  integrity  of  His  trusting 
child. 

Key  Word:      Delivered,   vv.    16,    20,    23. 

Strong  Verses:      5,   10,   16    (b),   23    (b),   26. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  The  beast  vision  of  Daniel,  forecasting  the  four  world  empires  and 
the  final  heading  up  under  anti-Christ.  Vision  of  Christ  coming  in  glory. 
Interpretation  of  the  beast  vision. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Daniel,   Belshazzar,  anti-Christ. 

Conclusion:  The  thrones  of  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  in  their  final  head- 
ing up  will  be  thrown  down.  The  people  of  God  in  every  age  should 
be  encouraged  under  their  troubles  with  the  prospect  of  Christ's  coming  in 
glory,  for  God  has  sworn  that  he  will  in  due  time  put  His  King  upon  the 
throne  of  earth  and  make  an  end  of  all  unrighteous  rule. 

Key  Word:      Kingdom  visions,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      9,    14,    27. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  13,  14;  identical  with  Rev.  5:6-10.  The  order  of  events 
will  be: 


DANIEL  Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-One 

1.  Investure  of  Christ's  earthly  kingdom  (13,  14;  Rev.  5:6-10). 
2.  The  vexing  of  Psa.  2:5.  See  also  Matt.  24:21,  22;  Rev.  6:18.  3. 
Return  of  Christ  in  glory  to  deliver  the  smiting  blow  of  2:45;  7:9-11; 
Rev.  19:11-21.  4.  Judgment  of  nations  and  setting  up  of  kingdom 
(7:10,  26,  27;  Matt.  25:31-46;  Rev.  20:1-6). 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:      The  ram  and  rough  goat  vision,  and  its  interpretation. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Gabriel,  Daniel,  Belshazzar,  anti-Christ. 

Conclusion:  Out  from  the  kingdoms  of  the  last  days  a  king  of  fierce  coun- 
tenance, the  anti-Christ,  will  arise,  and  acting  by  the  power  'of  Satan, 
will  bring  transgression  to  the  full.  Though  he  will  for  a  time  prosper 
in  his  hellish  schemes,  the  sudden  brightness  of  Christ's  coming  will  utterly 
destroy  him. 

Key  Word:      End-time  Indignation,  v.  19. 

Strong  Verses :      23,24,25. 

Striking  Facts:  Two  ends  are  in  view  in  this  chapter — historically  the  end 
of  the  Grecian  empire  of  Alexander;  prophetically,  the  end  of  the  times 
of  the  Gentiles  (Luke  21:24;  Rev.  16:14),  when  the  "little  horn"  of 
7:8,  24-26,  the  beast,  will  arise,  followed  by  the  return  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:      Vision  of  the  seventy  weeks.     Daniel's  prayer  and  confession. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Daniel,  Jeremiah,  Darius,  Gabriel. 

Conclusion:  God's  Word  is  intended  to  encourage  our  prayers,  and  when  we 
see  the  day  of  the  performance  of  His  prophecies  approaching,  we  should 
the  more  earnestly  confess  our  sins  and  pray,  not  only  being  forward  to 
speak  to  God,  but  as  forward  to  hear  what  He  has  to  say  to  us. 

Key  Word:      Prayer,  v.  3.      Vision,  v.  21. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  24-27.  Reduced  to  calendar  years,  this  69  weeks  of  years 
(v.  25)  is  476  years.  The  edict  to  restore  Jerusalem  was  issued  446 
B.  C.  Applying  476  to  this  point  brings  us  to  Christ's  birth  and  30  years 
over,  the  very  time  of  the  cutting  off  of  Messiah  by  His  crucifixion  (v.  26). 
Luke  3:23  says  that  Jesus  began  His  ministry  at  30  years  and  an  error 
is  imagined  by  some,  but  Scripture  is  accurate,  for  when  in  the  sixth  cen- 
tury, the  time  A.  D.  and  B.  C.  was  divided,  an  error  of  four  years  was  made 
in  the  calendar  so  that  really  30  A.  D.  is  34.  Christ's  ministry  extended 
nearly  four  years;  thus  30  A.  D.  in  our  chronology  was  the  time  of  Christ's 
death.  At  the  close  of  the  age,  the  other  week  of  years  will  be  fulfilled  in 
awful  tribulation,  after  which  Christ  will  appear  suddenly  in  the  clouds 
to  set  up  His  eternal  kingdom. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Visions  of  the  glory  of  God.  The  heavenly  messenger  detained, 
but  comes  at  last  to  show  Daniel  things  to  come,  in  answer  to  prayer. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Daniel,  Michael,  Cyrus,  Princes  of  Persia  and  Greece. 

Conclusion:  From  the  day  that  we  begin  to  look  toward  God  in  the  way  of 
duty,  He  is  ready  to  meet  us  in  the  way  of  mercy.  When  we  rightly  un- 
derstand the  methods  of  God's  providence  and  grace  concerning  us,  we 
will  be  better  reconciled  to  them.  Failure  to  complete  transactions  with 
God  is  responsible  for  many  unanswered  prayers. 

Key  Word:      Great  vision,  v.   8. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  19,  21. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  6,  16,  17.  Christ  here  appears  in  the  same  resemblance 
wherein  He  appeared  to  John  in  Rev.  1:13-15,  viz.,  in  His  priestly  dress, 
girded  ready  to  His  work  on  behalf  of  His  people. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  Prophecy  covering  the  period  from  Darius  to  anti-Christ,  showing 
the  conflicts  of  nations,  and  final  heading  up  for  destruction. 

Characters:      God,  Daniel,  Kings  of    Persia  and  Greece,  anti-Christ. 

Conclusion:  That  which  God  has  declared  in  His  Word  concerning  the  end  of 
kingdoms  shall  surely  come  to  pass,  and  then  the  sins  of  men  and  the 
wickedness  of  anti-Christ  and  Satan  shall  be  made  to  serve  His  purposes  and 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Two  DANIEL 

contribute  to  the  bringing  of  his  counsels  to  birth  in  their  season.  Though 
sin  comes  to  an  awful  heading  up  under  anti-Christ,  it  will  surely  come  to 
eternal  destruction  when  Christ  conies  to  set  up  His  glorious  kingdom. 

Key  Word:      Time  of  the  end,  v.   40. 

Strong  Verses:      32,    33. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  45.  This  was  not  fulfilled  in  Antiochus,  for  he  died  in 
Tabal,  Persia.  This  man,  the  anti-Christ,  will  come  to  his  end  in  Judea 
between  Jerusalem  and  the  Mediterranean,  and  it  is  the  brightness  of 
Christ's  coming  only  that  will  bring  him  to  his  doom  (2  Thess.  2:8'  Rev 
19:20). 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:  The  great  tribulation  of  the  last  days,  and  the  resurrection  fore- 
told. The  last  message  to  Daniel. 

Characters:      God,  Daniel,  Michael. 

Conclusion:  The  present  age  is  to  close  in  a  time  of  tribulation  such  as  the 
world  has  never  known.  Christ  will  come  to  save  His  people  and  to  raise 
the  bodies  of  many  from  the  dust.  Glorious  rewards  will  be  conferred 
upon  those  who  have  themselves  been  wise  and  have  instructed  others 
in  the  way  of  salvation. 

Key  Word:      Time  of  the  end,  vv.  4,   9. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   3. 

Striking  Facts:  The  time  of  the  end  or  day  of  Jacob's  trouble  (Jeremiah 
30:7),  will  be  a  time  of  tribulation  such  as  was  not  from  the  beginning 
of  the  world,  nor  ever  shall  be  (Matt.  24:21).  The  New  Testament  adds 
many  details  concerning  it.  But  for  the  appearing  of  Christ  in  glory 
no  flesh  would  be  spared  through  it.  Those  who  know  Christ  as  their 
Saviour  will  not  be  called  upon  to  pass  through  it  (Rev.  3:10),  but  will 
be  caught  up  before  it  begins  (1  Thess.  4:16-18). 


BOOK  OF 


BOOK  OF  HOSEA 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Three 


HOSEA 


Key  Thought:  Number  of  Chapters:  Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

Return  14  14:9  Risen  Son  of  God 


Writer  of  the  Book: 


Hosea 


Date: 


790-725  B.  C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  longs  for  the  re- 
turn of  backsliders, 
pleads  with  them  and 
makes  every  induce- 
ment for  their  re- 
pentance. 


I 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Israel,  Jehovah's  dishonored  wife,  repudiated,  but  to  be  restored. 
Characters:      God,  Hosea,  Uzziah,  Hezekiah,  Jeroboam,  Gomer,  Jezreel,  Jehu, 

Lo-ruhamah,   Lo-ammi. 
Conclusion:      Giving  glory  to  any  creature  which  is  due  to  God  alone  is  as 

much  an  injury  and  affront  to  God  as  for  a  wife  to  embrace  the  bosom 

of  a  stranger,  is  to  her  husband.     Thus  many  who  have  been  in  covenant 

relation  with   God   have  broken  their   marriage  bond,   turning   away  the 

mercy  of  God  from  their  houses. 
Key  Word:      Israel — whoredom,  v.    2. 
Strong  Verses:      10. 
Striking  Facts:     v.  11.     The  day  will  come  (Rom.  11:25)  when  Israel  will  come 

forth  out  of  the  lands,  acknowledging  Jesus  Christ  whom  they  crucified, 

as  their  head   (Zech.   12:10). 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      The  chastisement  of  adulterous  Israel.     Yet  to  be  restored. 

Characters:      God,   Hosea,  Ammi,   Ruhamah,   Baalim. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  exchange  the  service  of  God  for  the  service  of  the 
world  and  the  flesh  will  sooner  or  later  be  made  to  own  that  they  have 
changed  for  the  worse,  finding  themselves  cast  off  of  God  and  hedged 
about  with  thorns.  Woe  unto  us,  if  God  will  not  own  Himself  in  relation 
to  us. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  harlotry,  restoration,   vv.    5,    18. 

Strong  Verses:      18,    19,    20. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  14-23.  In  the  final  day  of  Israel's  despair,  God  has  prom- 
ised to  revive  her  with  comforts — the  sight  of  their  coming  Messiah.  In  that 
day  they  will  be  betrothed  to  Him  anew  forever,  and  the  earth  shall  be 
filled  with  His  eternal  peace  and  righteousness. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

nteiits:      Jehovah's  undying  love  to  Israel.     The  future  kingdom  on  earth. 

Characters:      God,  Hosea. 

Conclusion:  God's  people  (Israel)  who  have  gone  awhoring  from  Him  must 
take  upon  themselves  the  shame  of  their  apostasy  and  submit  to  the 
punishment  of  their  iniquity.  If  God  dealt  with  them  according  to  the 
strict  rigor  of  the  law,  He  would  have  no  more  to  do  with  them,  but  He 
will  deal  with  them  according  to  the  multitude  of  His  mercies,  and  not 
according  to  their  iniquities.  The  remnant  of  Israel  will  yet  seek  the 
Lord  and  receive  their  King. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  harlotry,  restoration,  vv.  3,  4. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  5. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  4-5.  The  reference  may  be  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son 
of  David,  to  whom  God  gave  the  throne  of  His  father  David — Luke  1:32. 
The  Chaldee  translates  it,  "they  shall  seek  the  service  of  the  Lord  their 
God,  and  shall  obey  Messiah,  the  Son  of  David,  their  King." 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Four  HOSEA 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Charges  against  Israel  for  their  sinfulness,  idolatry  and  ignorance. 

Characters:      God,   Hosea. 

Conclusion:  It  is  a  sad  and  sore  judgment  for  men  when  God  has  to  say, 
"let  them  alone" — giving  them  up  to  their  own  heart's  lust  to  walk  in  their 
own  counsels  until  the  measure  of  their  iniquity  is  filled.  Man's  doings 
will  surely  return  upon  him,  and  his  sins  against  God  will  be  called 
over  to  him,  either  to  his  humiliation  or  to  his  condemnation. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  controversy,  v.   1. 

Strong  Verses:      9,  17. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      Jehovah's  face  withdrawn  from  Israel. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  time  when  Jehovah  will  not  be  found — when  it  is 
time  for  His  judgments  to  fall  on  a  rebellious,  sinful  people.  He  will 
take  no  notice  of  their  troubles  or  prayers,  until  they  become  sensible 
of  their  guilt,  and  are  brought  to  humble  themselves  before  Him  for  it. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  withdrawal,  vv.   6,   15. 

Strong  Verses:      15. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      The  voice  of   the  remnant  of  Israel   in   the   last   days.      Jehovah's 

response. 

Characters :      God. 
Conclusion:      The   consideration   of   God's   judgments    upon   us   because   of   sin 

should  awaken  us  to  return  to  God  by  repentance,  prayer  and  reformation. 

He  who  has  smitten  us  will  bind  us  up  if  we  humbly  return  to  Him. 
Key  Word:      Return,  v.  1. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   3,   6. 
Striking  Facts:     vv.  1-3.    This  will  be  Israel's  resolve  in  the  last  days,  as  the 

result  of  the  "time  of  Jacob's  trouble."     The  Lord  Jesus  will  be  to  them 

as  a  refreshing  rain  after  a  long  drought,  and  Israel  shall  be  revived. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      Jehovah's  response   to   Israel's   cry,   continued.      Israel's   sad   state. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  If  sinful  souls  are  not  healed  and  helped,  but  perish  in  their 
sin  and  misery,  they  cannot  blame  God,  for  He  could  and  would  have 
healed  them.  They  are  not  healed  because  they  will  not  be,  refusing  to 
look  to  God  even  when  they  are  reaping  the  sore  results  of  sin.  Let  all 
such  remember  that  all  their  works  are  remembered  and  will  have  to  be 
faced. 

Key  Word:      Wickedness,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Jehovah's  response,  continued.  Sins  denounced  and  captivity  fore- 
told. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  sow  to  the  flesh  must  reap  corruption.  All  the  hopes 
of  sinners  are  cheats,  and  their  gains  are  snares.  Those  who  break 
friendship  with  God  make  themselves  an  easy  prey  to  all  about  them. 

Key  Word:      Sowing,   reaping,   v.    7. 

Strong  Verses:      7    (a),   11. 

CHAPTER  NINE 

Contents:  Jehovah's  response,  continued.  Israel's  coming  distress  because 
of  sin. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Joy  is  a  forbidden  fruit  to  those  who  have  broken  covenant  with 
God,  until  they  return  and  make  their  peace  with  God.  If  men  make 
things  of  the  world  and  flesh  their  portion,  it  is  just  with  God  to  deny 


HOSEA  Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Five 

them  the  comfort  of  them — to  bring  man  to  a  sense  of  his  folly.     The  day 
of  recompense  hastens  on  apace  toward  all  who  go  a  whoring  from  God. 

Key  Word:      Days  of  recompense,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      5,  17. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  Jehovah's  response,  continued.  Further  reproof  for  Israel's  im- 
piety. 

Characters:      God.  Jareb,  King  of  Israel. 

Conclusion:  If  the  grace  of  God  prevail  not  to  destroy  the  love  of  sin  in  us, 
it  is  just  that  the  providence  of  God  should  destroy  the  fuel  of  sin  about  us, 
and  that  what  men  have  made  idols  of  should  be  spoiled.  Because  God 
does  not  desire  the  ruin  of  sinners,  He  does  desire  their  chastisement. 

Key  Word:      Chastisement,  vv.   10,   15. 

Strong  Verses:      12,   13. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:      Jehovah's  response,  continued.     His  tender  love  for  Israel. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Though  men  who  have  had  relationship  with  God  are  ripe  for 
ruin  because  of  following  their  own  counsels,  instead  of  God's,  God  is 
slow  to  anger,  loth  to  abandon  them,  longing  to  draw  them  with  the 
cords  of  His  love. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  love,  vv.  1,  4,  8. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  4,  8,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  These  words  have  a  double  aspect,  being  applied  to  Christ 
(Matt.  2:15).  They  speak  historically  of  the  calling  of  Israel  out  of 
Egypt,  and  prophetically  of  the  bringing  of  Christ  from  Egypt,  the  former 
being  a  type  of  the  latter.  Christ's  calling  out  of  Egypt  is  likewise  a 
figure  of  the  calling  of  all  who  are  His  out  of  spiritual  slavery. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:      Jehovah's   response,    continued.     Further   reproof   of   Israel's   sins. 

Characters :      God . 

Conclusion:  Those  who  make  creatures  and  things  their  confidence,  put  a 
cheat  upon  their  own  souls,  and  prepare  vexation  for  themselves.  God 
has  His  eye  even  upon  the  merchant  weighing  his  goods,  and  knows 
his  methods  and  the  idols  of  his  heart.  If  men  put  contempt  upon  God, 
God  will  let  their  neighbors  look  with  contempt  upon  them. 

Key  Word:      Recompense,  vv.   2,    14. 

Strong  Verses:      6. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  9-10.  As  great  an  offense  as  Israel  has  been  to  God  through- 
out the  centuries,  God's  Word  assures  us  that  the  prophecies  regarding 
their  restoration  to  glory  in  the  earth  will  be  certainly  fulfilled  in  His 
own  time.  That  time  is  connected  with  the  time  of  Christ's  Second 
Coming. 


Stril 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:  Jehovah's  response,  continued.  Israel's  ruin.  Ultimate  blessing 
in  the  kingdom  age. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Worldly  prosperity,  which  feeds  men's  pride,  makes  them  forget- 
ful of  God,  and  sends  them  on  a  downhill  course  in  which  they  cannot 
easily  stop  themselves.  Those  whom  God  has  in  vain  endured  with  long- 
suffering,  and  appealed  to  with  much  affection,  will  finally  be  made  the 
vessels  of  His  wrath. 

Key   Word:      Ruined    (vv.    8,    16),    ransomed    (14). 

Strong  Verses:      4,-  6,    14. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  9-11.  God  will  yet  give  Israel  a  King,  whom  they  will  re- 
ceive as  God-appointed,  a  Saviour  to  their  nation.  Israel,  becoming  weary 
of  the  theocracy,  or  divine  government,  rejected  Samuel,  crying,  "Give  us 
a  king."  God  gave  them  a  king  and  plenty  of  trouble  with  him.  Christ 
is  the  true  heavenly  King,  and  He  will  at  His  Second  Coming  take  the 
throne  of  His  father  David. 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Six  HOSEA 

CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:      Entreaty  and   promise   to   Israel.     Restoration   foretold. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  Though  backslidings  from  God  are  dangerous  diseases  of  the 
soul,  yet  they  are  not  incurable,  for  God  graciously  promises  that  if  back- 
sliders will  return  to  be  reconciled  to  Him  and  to  His  whole  will,  He  will 
heal  their  backslidings  and  make  them  conscious  of  His  love. 

Key  Word:      Backsliding  healed,  v.  4. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  9. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  5-7.  God  will  yet  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel,  refreshing  them 
with  His  comforts,  but  not  until  they  see  it  descending  upon  them  in 
the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  their  rejected  King,  when  He  comes  in  the 
clouds  of  heaven  with  great  glory.  Then  their  branches  indeed  shall 
spread,  and  they  shall  grow  as  the  vine. 


BOOK  OF  JOEL 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Seven 


Key  Thought: 

Judgment 


JOEL 


Number  of  Chapters: 

3 


Key  Verse: 

2:13 


Christ  seen  as: 

Outpourer    of 
the  Spirit. 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Joel 


Date: 


Either  860-850  B.  C. 
or  400-380  B.  C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Repentance,  a  heart 
broken  for  sin  and 
from  sin,  is  necessary, 
if  the  judgments  of  God 
are  to  be  averted. 


t: 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Joel's  warnings  of  desolation  upon  Israel,  and  call  to  repentance. 
The  plague  of  insects. 

Characters:      God,   Joel. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  will  not  be  aroused  out  of  their  security  by  the  Word 
of  God  will  finally  be  aroused  by  His  rod,  for  He  has  the  meanest  of  His 
creatures  at  His  command,  and  if  He  pleases  can  humble  and  mortify  a 
rebellious  people  by  the  most  contemptible  creatures.  Even  locusts  be- 
come as  lions  when  armed  with  a  divine  commission. 

Key  Word:      Destruction,  v.  15. 

Strong  Verses:      15. 

Striking  Facts:  This  prophecy  looks  for  its  complete  fulfillment  to  the  end- 
time  of  the  present  age  (Rev.  14,  16,  19).  Joel  gives  the  fullest  view 
of  the  consummation  of  all  written  prophecy  concerning  Israel's  woes  and 
final  glory  under  Christ. 


CHAPTER  TWO 


Contents:  Day  of  vengeance  upon  Israel.  Invading  hosts  and  awful  scourges. 
Repentance  of  the  Jewish  remnant  and  Jehovah's  response  and  deliver- 
ance. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Joel. 

Conclusion:  There  is  a  great  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  coming  upon  the 
world,  to  be  ushered  in  with  wonders  in  heaven  and  earth,  blood  and 
fire  and  pillars  of  smoke.  Woe  to  those  who  are  not  prepared  for  that 
day  when  it  comes  unawares  upon  them.  Those  who  are  able  to  pass 
through  it  will  be  given  a  change  of  heart  through  the  universal  outpouring 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  God  will  reign  gloriously  in  all  the  universe, 
restoring  to  great  favor  in  the  earth  the  remnant  of  Israel. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  the  Lord,  vv.  1,  31. 

Strong  Verses:      10,  28,  29. 

Striking  Facts,  v.  28.  This  has  a  partial  and  continuous  fulfillment  during 
"the  last  days"  (Heb.  1:2),  which  began  with  the  first  advent  of  Christ 
(Acts  2:17),  but  the  greater  fulfillment  awaits  the  "last  days"  as  applied 
to  Israel,  when  Christ  shall  come  to  be  recognized  as  Lord  of  Lords  and 
King  of  Kings. 


CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Restoration  of  Israel,  and  judgment  of  all  nations  in  regard  to 
Israel.  Pull  kingdom  blessings  under  Christ. 

Characters:      God,  Joel. 

Conclusion:  Though  God  has  suffered  the  enemies  of  His  people  (Israel)  to 
prevail  very  far  and  for  a  long  time,  they  will,  in  the  day  of  decision,  be 
called  to  account  for  it.  To  those  who  have  repented  and  looked  toward 
God  as  their  salvation,  that  day  will  be  a  joyful  day,  for  the  Lord  will 


Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Eight  JOEL 

be  the  strength  of  Israel,  and  all  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowl- 
edge of  Him  thereafter. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  the  Lord,  v.  14. 

Strong  Verses:      14,   16. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  All  nations  that  wrong  the  Jews  lay  themselves  open 
to  God's  vengeance,  especially  those  in  the  last  days  who  persecute  the 
Jews.  The  coming  of  Christ  will  be  the  day  of  decision  for  them.  The 
remnant  of  Israel  will  then  be  cleansed  and  restored,  Jerusalem  once 
more  being  made  a  praise  in  the  earth. 


BOOK  OF  AMOS  Page  One  Hundred  Ninety-Nine 

AMOS 


Key  Thought:             Number 

Punishment 

of  Chapters: 

9 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

4:12               Thy  God,  O  Israel. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Amos 

Date: 

870-783  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

National  sin  inevitably 
spells     national      judg- 
ment. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Judgments    pronounced    upon    surrounding    peoples — Syria,    Tyre, 

Edom,  Ammon. 

Characters:      God,  Amos,  Uzziah,  Jeroboam,  Hazael,  Benhadad. 
Conclusion:      The  God  of  Israel  is  the  God  of  all  the  earth,  and  the  nations 

that  refuse  to  worship  Him,  and  who  persecute  His  people  will  be  made  to 

know  that  they  are  accountable  to  Him  as  Judge. 
Key  Word:      Punishment,  vv.  6,  9,  11,  13. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Judgments  pronounced  upon  Judah,  Moab  and  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Amos. 

Conclusion:  To  keep  not  the  commandments  of  God's  Word,  making  no  con- 
science of  them,  is  to  despise  the  wisdom,  justice  and  goodness  of  the 
Author.  Those  who  will  not  submit  to  the  convictions  of  the  Word  will 
have  to  sink  under  the  weight  of  God's  punishments. 

Key  Word:      Punishment,  vv.  1,  4,  6. 

Strong  Verses:       16. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Jehovah's    controversy   with    Israel. 

Characters:      God,   Amos. 

Conclusion:  Judgment  begins  at  the  house  of  God.  The  nearer  men  are  to 
God  in  profession,  and  the  kinder  notice  God  has  taken  of  them,  the  more 
quickly  and  severely  will  He  reckon  with  them  if  they  by  wilful  sin  dis- 
grace their  relation  to  Him.  We  cannot  expect  God  to  act  for  us  unless 
we  are  reconciled  to  Him. 

Key  Word:      Punishment,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      2,   3,   6. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Threatening  against  the  oppressors  in  Israel.  Israel  reminded  of 
God's  chastening  in  the  past. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  God  designs  all  His  providential  rebukes  to  influence  men  to 
turn  to  Him.  The  reason  God  sends  worse  troubles  is  because  former  and 
lesser  troubles  have  not  done  their  work.  If  men  continue  obstinate,  they 
force  God  to  do  what  He  does  not  willingly  do,  but  what  is  necessary  to 
bring  men  to  their  senses. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  stubbornness,  vv.  6,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12. 

Strong  Verses:      12    (b),    13. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:  God's  lamentation  over  Israel  and  captivity  foretold.  The  day  of 
the  Lord. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  If  men  will  not  take  a  right  course  to  obtain  the  favor  of  God, 
God  will  take  an  effectual  course  to  make  them  feel  the  weight  of  His 
displeasure.  Our  transgressions  do  not  pass  Him  unobserved,  and  He 
knows  all  hypocrisy  in  worship,  and  the  punishment  will  be  in  propor- 
tion to  the  profession  made. 

Key  Word:      Lamentation,   vv.    1,    16. 


Page  Two  Hundred  AMOS 

Strong  Verses:      8,  9,  14,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  22-23.  Religious  ceremonies  are  of  no  account  with  God, 
except  as  they  express  from  the  heart  that  for  which  they  stand.  "No 
man  cometh  to  the  Father  but  by  Christ."  Those  ceremonies  designed 
to  set  forth  Christ  are  an  abomination  to  God  if  the  offerer  does  not  from 
the  heart  recognize  Christ  in  them  and  yield  himself  to  Him.  Though 
ritual  sacrifices  may  be  dispensed  with,  spiritual  sacrifices  in  Christ  cannot. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Woe  pronounced  upon  those  at  ease  in  sin — abandoned  by  God. 

Characters:      God,  David. 

Conclusion:  Many  are  puffed  up  and  rocked  to  sleep  in  carnal  security  by  the 
position  they  occupy  in  the  world — set  upon  their  own  pleasure  and  care- 
less of  the  afflictions  of  others.  Those  who  thus  give  themselves  to  mirth 
when  God  calls  them  to  mourning  will  find  it  a  sin  that  will  be  punished 
with  terrible  woes. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1   (a). 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Threatening  judgments.  The  prophet's  intercession  no  longer  to 
prevail.  Amos  charged  before  the  king  and  his  answer. 

Characters:      God,  Amos,  Amaziah,  Jeroboam. 

Conclusion:  God's  patience,  which  has  long  been  sinned  against,  will  at 
length  be  sinned  away — for  to  be  often  reprieved  yet  never  reclaimed; 
often  reduced  to  straits,  yet  never  brought  to  God— is  a  great  insult  to  God 
and  merits  His  rejection.  Those  who  have  faithfully  declared  the  coun- 
sel of  God  may  expect  to  be  misrepresented  as  enemies,  and  often  by  men 
in  high  religious  standing. 

Key  Word:      God-abandoned,   v.    8. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  The  basket  of  summer  fruit  foretelling  Israel's  near  ruin.  Summary 
of  the  case  against  Israel. 

Characters:      God,  Amos. 

Conclusion:  The  time  of  God's  patience  draws  surely  to  a  conclusion,  and 
if  men  do  not  make  an  end  of  sin,  God  will  make  an  end  of  them,  even 
though  they  be  His  professing  people.  To  continually  trample  under  foot 
the  Word  of  God  will  end  in  a  famine  of  the  Word  of  God,  which  in  a  time 
of  trouble  will  be  the  sorest  judgment. 

Key  Word:      The   end,   v.    2. 

Strong  Verses :      7  ( b ) ,  1 1 . 

CHAPTER    NINE 

Contents:  Final  prophecy  of  dispersion  of  Israel  and  their  ultimate  restoration 
and  blessing  in  the  kingdom  age. 

Characters:      God,  Amos. 

Conclusion:  The  sword  of  war  is  the  sword  of  divine  vengeance,  for  God  will 
thoroughly  sift  His  people  who  ignore  His  constant  pleadings.  Evil  is 
often  nearest  those  who  put  it  at  the  greatest  distance  from  them  (v.  10). 

Key  Word:      Israel's  sifting,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      6,  10,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  11-15.  The  bringing  again  of  dispersed  Israel  to  their  own 
land  is  the  sure  promise  of  God's  Word.  In  the  coming  Kingdom  ofi 
Christ,  the  Messiah,  Israel  shall  take  deep  root  in  the  world,  never  to  be 
rooted  out  of  it.  They  shall  find  in  Him  the  happiness  and  rest  they  have 
so  long  sought,  and  God's  favor  shall  again  be  with  them  to  give  abun- 
dance of  all  good  things. 


BOOK  OF  OBADIAH 


Page  Two  Hundred  One 


OBADIAH 


Key  Thought:             Number 

Edom. 

of  Chapters: 

1 

Key  Verse:             Christ  seen  as: 

21                  "The  Lord  in  His 
Kingdom." 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Obadiah 

Date: 

900-880   B. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

We  should  take  solemn 
C.                     warning      against      the 
perils     of     pride     and 
anti-Semetism. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Edom's   humiliation   because   of   sin   against   God's   people. 

Characters:      God,   Obadiah. 

Conclusion:  If  men  in  their  pride  and  carnal  security  dare  to  challenge  om- 
nipotence, their  challenge  will  be  taken  up,  and  God  will  promptly  lay 
them  low.  God  will  not  suffer  men  to  be  puffed  up  by  the  humiliation  of 
His  people,  nor  to  gloat  over  them  in  their  afflictions. 

Key  Word:      Edom,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  15. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  Following  the  day  of  recompense,  for  which  Christ 
is  coming  to  the  earth,  the  promise  of  deliverance  and  holiness  for  the 
people  shall  be  fulfilled.  The  kingdoms  of  the  world  shall  then  become  the 
kingdoms  of  the  Lord  and  His  Christ,  who  will  take  to  Himself  great  power, 
and  reign. 


Page  Two  Hundred  Two  BOOK  OF  JONAH 

JONAH 


Key  Thought  :             Number  of 

Repentance                                  4 

Chapters  : 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

Risen  Prophet 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Jonah 

Date: 

825-790  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  is  the  God  of  the 
Gentiles   as  well   as   of 
the  Jew. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Jonah's  commission  and  effort  to  avoid  God's  will.  Swallowed  by 
a  great  fish. 

Characters:      God,  Jonah,  seamen. 

Conclusion:  Men  may  be  distinctly  called  of  God  to  proclaim  His  message,  yet 
refuse  to  obey,  but  indisposition  to  preach  will  not  rid  one  of  the  obliga- 
tion to  preach.  God  will  send  His  storms  to  teach  the  wisdom  of  obedi- 
ence. 

Key  Word:      Fleeing  prophet — v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      9. 

Striking  Facts:  Typically  Jonah  foreshadows  Israel  out  of  their  own  land,  a 
trouble  to  the  Gentiles,  cast  out  but  miraculously  preserved.  In  the  fu- 
ture, in  their  hour  of  deep  distress,  they  will  cry  out  to  God,  will  be  de- 
livered and  will  go  forth  to  the  Gentiles  as  originally  commanded,  an- 
nouncing the  kingdom  of  Christ  at  hand  and  His  Second  Coming. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Jonah's  prayer  out  of  the  depths  and  its  answer. 

Characters:      God,  Jonah. 

Conclusion:  Though  we  bring  affliction  upon  ourselves  by  our  sins,  yet  if 
we  pray  in  humility  and  godly  sincerity,  we  shall  be  heard  at  the  throne 
of  grace  and  God  will  speak  the  word  of  deliverance. 

Key  Word:      Prayer — v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  7,  8,  9(b). 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Israel  swallowed  up  by  the  Gentiles  in  the  sea  of  the 
nations  must  go  down  to  the  "bottom"  before  they  will  cry  out  to  God 
and  look  to  the  one  they  pierced  as  their  Saviour.  When  that  hour  comes, 
the  nations  will  vomit  them  out  upon  their  own  land,  where  they  will 
come  face  to  face  with  Christ. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Jonah's  second  commission.  Ninevah's  repentance  because  of  his 
obedience. 

Characters:      God,  Jonah,  King  of  Nineveh. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  would  not  destroy  their  souls  must  afflict  their  souls. 
God  threatens  so  He  will  not  have  to  punish,  and  makes  His  judgments 
conditional  upon  true  repentance.  There  is  mercy  for  those  who  will, 
before  it  is  too  late,  confess  and  forsake  their  sin. 

Key  Word:      Repentance,  vv.  8,  10. 

Strong  Verses :      2  ( b ) ,  1 0 . 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  God  is  unchangeable  in  character,  but  He  may  change 
His  conduct  toward  men  as  they  change  their  attitude  toward  Him.  Re- 
pentance in  man  is  a  change  of  will.  Repentance  in  God  is  God  willing 
a  change. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      Jonah's  displeasure  over  God's  action  toward  Nineveh.     The  shelter- 
ing gourd. 
Characters:      God,  Jonah. 


JONAH 


Page  Two  Hundred  Three 


Conclusion:  Though  there  be  those  who  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  quarrel  with 
the  goodness  of  God  and  His  sparing,  pardoning  mercy  to  others  (to  which 
we  all  owe  it  that  we  are  out  of  hell),  yet  God  will  justify  Himself  in  the 
methods  of  His  grace  toward  repenting  sinners.  As  God  values  a  human 
soul,  so  should  we  look  upon  it  as  worth  more  than  all  the  world. 

Key  Word:      Displeased,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  2(b). 

Striking  Facts:  Jonah  (Matt.  12:40)  is  used  as  an  illustrious  type  of  Christ 
who  was  buried  and  arose  (1  Cor.  15:4)  after  three  days.  As  God  pre- 
pared Jonah's  grave,  so  He  prepared  Christ's.  Both  were  buried  in  order 
to  their  rising  again  for  the  bringing  of  the  doctrine  of  repentance  to  the 
Gentile  world. 


Page  Two  Hundred  Four  BOOK  OF  MICAH 

MICAH 


Key  Thought:             Number  of 

Controversy                                 7 

Chapters  : 

Key  Verse:             Christ  seen  as: 

1:8-9            The  Bethlehemite 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Micah 

Date: 
758-710  B.C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God     abhors     injustice 
and  ritualism.  He  takes 
delight    in      pardoning 
penitent   sinners. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Jehovah's  case  against  Israel.     Impending  judgment. 

Characters:      God,  Micah,  Jotham,  Ahaz,  Hezekiah. 

Conclusion:      There  conies  a  time  when  men  who  have  persisted  in  sin  must 

face  ruin  without  remedy.     God  cannot  help  them  because  they  will  not 

by  repentance  and  reformation  help  themselves. 
Key  Word:      Incurable,  v.  9. 
Strong  Verses:      3,  4. 
Striking  Facts:      vv.  6-16.   describes  the  Syrian  invasion.    This  gives  rise  to  the 

prophecy  of  the  greater  invasion  in  the  last  days  (4:9-13),  and  of  Christ's 

deliverance  at  Armageddon  (Rev.  16:14;  19:17). 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Jehovah's  case  against  Israel,  continued.  Future  deliverance  of  a 
remnant. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit. 

Conclusion:  Sinners  cannot  expect  to  rest  in  a  land  which  they  have  polluted 
by  their  sins  against  God,  for  He  will  certainly  cause  it  to  spew  them  out 
with  terrible  judgments.  With  every  threatening  of  judgment,  however, 
there  is  a  promise  of  mercy  for  a  remnant  who  will  acknowledge  their 
King  and  walk  in  His  ways. 

Key  Word:      Sore  destruction,  v.   10. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  13.  Christ  is  the  King  who  will,  after  the  great  Armaged- 
don, pass  before  Israel  to  bring  them  into  the  land  of  their  rest.  While 
there  is  in  this  age  an  election  out  of  Israel,  the  promises  of  restoration 
to  the  land  here  given  will  only  have  their  accomplishment  at  Christ's 
Second  Coming. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Coming   judgments   of   the   captivities.      The   priests   and   prophets 

rebuked. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  princes,  prophets. 
Conclusion:      Men  cannot  expect  to  do  ill  and  fare  well  simply  because  they 

are  recognized  as  religious.      The  time  will  come  when   those  who   have 

shown  no  mercy  shall  have  judgment  without  mercy,   for  God  will  hide 

His  face  when  they  are  sorely  in  need  of  His  favor. 
Key  Word:      Israel's  sin,  v.   8. 
Strong  Verses:      4. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  The  future  kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth  and  Israel's  happy  regather- 
ing.  Battle  of  Armageddon. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  In  the  last  days  of  the  age,  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  shall  be  mani- 
fested in  the  earth  with  a  lustre  no  earth  kingdom  has  ever  had.  It  will 
be  a  kingdom  universal,  peaceful,  prosperous,  and  of  the  increase  of 
Christ's  government,  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end.  Israel,  long  dis- 
persed and  cast  off,  will  have  a  place  of  glory  in  the  earth,  recognizing 
Christ  as  King  and  Lord. 


MICAH  Page  Two  Hundred  Five 

Key  Word:      Mountain  of  the  Lord,  v.  1. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  2,  3,  4,  5. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  1,  2.  A  mountain  in  Scripture  is  a  symbol  of  great  earth 
power  (Dan.  2:35).  The  ultimate  establishment  of  Christ's  earthly  king- 
dom is  here  foretold.  Christ  will  be  the  King  (v.  7)  to  protect  and  gov- 
ern it  and  to  order  its  affairs  for  the  best  to  the  end  of  time. 


CHAPTER  FIVE 

Contents:      The  birth  and  rejection  of  Christ  foretold.     His  ultimate  eternal 

kingdom  after  His  rejection. 
Characters:      God,  Christ. 
Conclusion:      Christ,  who  existed  from  eternity  as  Son  of  God,  was  to  be  born 

into  the  world  as  the  child  of  woman,   to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

Rejected,  except  by  a  remnant,  He  would  await  the  consummation  of  the 

age,  when  He  will  be  given  a  kingdom  glorious  to  Himself;  happy  for  His 

subjects;  disastrous  to  sinners. 
Key  Word:      Israel's  ruler   (Christ),  v.   2. 
Strong  Verses:      2,  4. 
Striking  Facts:  .  v.  2.      See  Isa.  7:13,  14;   9:6,  7.     Note  that  the  "child"  was 

born  in  Bethlehem,  but  the  "Son"  was  "from  everlasting."      Christ  was 

pre-existent,  else  He  could  not  have  by  His  atonement  made  propitiation 

for  the  sin  of  the  world. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Jehovah's  controversy  with  Israel's  past  and  present. 

Characters:      God,  Omri,  Ahab,  Balak,  Balaam. 

Conclusion:  God  issues  a  challenge  to  all  who  have  ever  professed  belief  in 
Him,  but  have  wandered  from  Him,  to  testify  against  Him,  if  they  have 
found  His  demands  unreasonable,  or  if  He  has  not  fully  paid  His  ac- 
counts. If  our  ceremonies  be  accepted  of  Him,  they  must  be  backed  by 
lives  conformed  to  His  will  and  in  communion  with  Him,  for  He  cannot 
be  deceived  by  external  ceremonies.  If  professors  of  religion  ruin  them- 
selves by  sin,  it  will  be  the  most  terrible  of  any  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Controversy,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  7,  8. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Sacrifices  and  ceremonies  have  their  value  from  the 
reference  they  have  to  Christ,  the  great  propitiation,  but  if  the  believer 
disregards  their  meaning,  they  are  an  abomination.  Thousands  of  rams 
and  rivers  of  oil  cannot  take  the  place  of  one  little  stream  of  the  blood  of 
Christ,  the  power  of  which  is  truly  appropriated  to  the  heart. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:  Israel's  sad  present  condition.  The  voice  of  the  remnant  in  the 
last  days. 

Characters:      God,  Micah. 

Conclusion:  When  a  child  of  God  has  much  occasion  to  cry  "Woe  is  me" — 
when  it  seems  that  all  flesh  has  corrupted  their  way — it  is  a  great  com- 
fort that  he  has  a  God  to  look  to,  in  whom  there  is  rejoicing  and  satis- 
faction always.  He  cannot  but  marvel  at  God's  pardoning  mercy  to  men 
and  rejoice  at  the  promise  that  He  shall  yet  reign  supreme  in  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      God,  my  salvation,  v.  7. 

Strong  Verses:      7,  9,  18,  19. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  19.  The  gracious  God  is  ready,  because  of  the  sacrifice 
of  His  Son,  to  pardon  and  pass  over  the  iniquity  of  His  people  upon  their 
repentance  and  turning  to  Him.  Let  the  pardoned  sinner  remember  that 
if  he  has  not  been  dealt  with  according  to  his  deserts,  it  is  because  Jesus 
Christ  bore  his  sins  on  the  cross,  and  made  it  possible  for  God  to  put  His 
sins  in  the  depths  of  the  sea. 


Pqge  Two  Hundred  Six  BOOK  OF  NAHUM 

NAHUM 


Key  Thought  :              Number 

Nineveh 

of  Chapters: 

3 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

1:8-9                  Bringer  of  Good 
Tidings. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Nahum 

Date: 

About  660  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

An    awful    doom    awaits 
the  apostate. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Jehovah's  holiness  and  power.     Nineveh's  destruction  forecasted. 

Characters:      God,  Nahum. 

Conclusion:  The  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against  His  enemies, 
and  His  favor  and  mercy  are  assured  to  His  faithful,  loyal  subjects.  His 
mighty  power  makes  His  wrath  very  terrible  and  His  favor  very  desirable. 

Key  Word:      Vengeance,  v.    2. 

Strong  Verses:      3,  7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  These  words  are  quoted  by  the  apostle  both  from 
Isaiah  and  Nahum,  and  applied  to  the  great  redemption  wrought  by  the 
Lord  Jesus  and  the  publishing  of  His  gospel  to  the  world  (Romans  10:15). 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      The  battle  in  the  streets  of  Nineveh. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  God  has  a  quarrel  with  those  who  have  done  violence  to  His 
people,  and  when  the  measure  of  their  iniquity  is  filled  up,  He  will  fill 
them  with  terror,  while  the  fire  of  His  indignation  shall  utterly  consume 
all  in  which  they  have  placed  their  confidence. 

Key  Word:      Nineveh  emptied,  vv.  10,  2. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:      Nineveh  reaps  what  it  has  sown — destruction  and  violence. 

Characters:      God,  King  of  Assyria. 

Conclusion:  The  people  that  have  with  their  cruelties  been  a  terror  and 
destruction  to  others,  will  eventually  have  terror  and  destruction  brought 
home  to  them.  They  are  but  preparing  to  themselves  terrible  enemies 
against  the  day  of  their  own  fall. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  v.   1. 

Striking  Facts:  The  great  lesson  of  Nahum  is  that  the  character  of  God  makes 
Him  not  only  a  stronghold  to  all  who  trust  Him,  but  One  who  "will  not 
at  all  acquit  the  wicked."  He  can  be  "just  and  yet  the  justifier  of  him 
which  pelieveth  in  Jesus"  (Romans  3:26),  but  only  because  His  law  has 
been  fully  vindicated  in  the  cross. 


BOOK  OF  HABAKKUK 


Page  Two  Hundred  Seven 


HABAKKUK 


Key  Thought:              Number 

Faith 

of  Chapters: 

3 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

2  :  4                 The  Lord  in  His 
Holy  temple. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Habakkuk 

Date: 

608-590  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  is  perfectly  consist- 
ent with   Himself,   even 
though  evil  is  long  per- 
mitted. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Habakkuk's  prayer  concerning  evil  in  dispersed  Israel.  God's  voice 
to  Israel  and  Habakkuk's  testimony  to  God. 

Characters:      God,  Habakkuk. 

Conclusion:  We  must  not  think  it  strange  if  God  sometimes  suffers  wicked- 
ness to  prevail  far  and  to  prosper  long,  for  He  has  good  reasons  for  His 
attitude,  and  He  cannot  be  the  author  or  patron  of  sin.  He  takes  full 
account  of  all  sin  committed,  and  will  surely  make  men  answer  for  it  in 
His  own  time. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  iniquity,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  5.  Acts  13:37-41  interprets  this  prediction  of  the  re- 
demptive work  of  Christ  with  Israel  in  dispersion.  God  did  "work  a  work" 
which  Israel  did  not  believe.  Paul  quoted  this  to  the  Jews  of  the  dis- 
persion in  the  synagogue  at  Antioch. 


CHAPTER  TWO 

ts:  Jehovah's  response  to  Habakkuk's  testimony.  Vision  of  coming 
woes. 

Characters:      God,  Habakkuk. 

Conclusion:  The  lusts  of  the  flesh,  the  lusts  of  the  eye  and  the  pride  of  life 
are  the  entangling  snare  of  men,  which,  if  yielded  to,  bring  woes  upon 
them.  Those  who  will  not  be  taught  the  knowledge  of  God's  glory  by 
the  judgments  of  His  mouth  will  be  made  to  bear  the  judgments  of  His 
hand. 

Key  Word:      Woe,  vv.   9,   12,   15,   19. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  12,  14,  15,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  14.  Isa.  11:9  fixes  the  time  when  the  earth  will  be  filled 
with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord — when  the  Righteous  Branch 
of  David,  Christ,  has  come  and  set  up  His  kingdom.  The  knowledge  of  the 
"glory"  of  the  Lord  cannot  be  until  He  is  manifested  in  glory  (Matt. 
24:30;  25:31;  Luke  9:26;  2  Thess.  1:7;  2:8;  Jude  14). 


Str 


CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Habakkuk's  answer  of  faith  to  Jehovah.  The  terror  of  God's  wrath 
against  sinners. 

Characters:      God,  Habakkuk. 

Conclusion:  The  God  of  nature  can  alter  and  control  all  the  powers  of  na- 
ture to  make  earth,  sea  and  heavenly  bodies  carry  out  the  purposes  of 
His  judgment  against  sinners,  or  for  the  salvation  of  His  people.  His 
true  children  can,  in  the  midst  of  earth's  distresses,  rejoice  in  Him  who  is 
the  God  of  their  eternal  salvation,  since  by  them,  their  salvation  cannot 
be  hindered  but  only  furthered. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  wrath,  vv.  2,  8. 

Strong  Verses:      2(b),  18,  19. 


Page  Two  Hundred  Eight  BOOK  c.t'  ZEPHANIAH 

ZEPHANIAH 


Key  Thought:             Number 

Remnant 

of  Chapters: 

3 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

1:4;  3:13                 The  Lord  in 
Israel's  midst. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Zephaniah 

Date: 

639-609  B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Our    God    is    a    jealous 
God. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Coming  judgment  on  Judah  prefiguring  the  coming  day  of  the 
Lord. 

Characters:      God,  Zephaniah,  Josiah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  will  not  improve  the  presence  of  God  with  them  as  a 
Father,  may  expect  His  presence  with  them  as  a  Judge,  to  call  them  to 
account  for  all  their  contempt  of  His  grace.  The  day  of  His  wrath  will 
strip  sinners  of  all  that  they  have  and  will  leave  them  nothing  but  distress 
and  pain  with  no  way  of  helping  themselves. 

Key  Word:      Day  of  wrath,  v.   15. 

Strong  Verses:      18. 

Striking  Facts:  vv.  7,  14.  The  day  of  the  Lord  here  is  a  small  specimen 
of  the  great  "day"  that  is  to  come,  in  which  all  earth  judgments  will 
culminate,  to  be  followed  by  Israel's  restoration  and  blessing  under  Christ. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  Call  to  remnant  of  Israel  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.  Judgment 
threatened  upon  Assyria,  Philistia  and  other  nations. 

Characters:      God. 

Conclusion:  The  nations  that  rebel  against  the  precepts  of  God's  Word  have 
the  threatenings  of  His  Word  against  them,  and  the  effect  will  be  no  less 
than  their  total  destruction  in  the  day  of  His  fierce  anger.  It  concerns 
each  one  to  make  it  sure  to  themselves  that  they  shall  be  hid  in  the  day 
of  God's  wrath,  in  a  hiding  place  of  God's  providing. 

Key    Word:      Jehovah's    anger,    v.    2. 

Strong  Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  3.  The  only  safe  hiding  place  from  the  wrath  of  God 
against  sin  is  the  righteousness  of  Christ  (1  Cor.  1:30;  Rom.  10:1-3).  To 
be  "hid  with  Christ  in  God"  (Col.  3:2)  is  to  be  in  the  chambers  of  safety. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Jerusalem's  moral  state  in  time  of  Zephaniah.  The  coming  judg- 
ment of  nations  and  kingdom  blessing  for  restored  Israel.  , 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  The  end  of  nations  that  have  continued  to  he  of  the  earth  and 
of  the  devil,  when  Christ  comes  to  set  up  His  kingdom,  shall  be  destruc- 
tion. The  reproach  of  Israel  shall  then  be  removed,  and  all  who  are 
permitted  to  enter  that  Kingdom  will  have  occasion,  with  all  their  hearts, 
to  eternally  rejoice  in  Him,  for  God  will  have  forever  removed  calamities 
from  them,  the  noise  of  war  will  be  silenced,  sinful  nature  put  under  con- 
trol and  God  and  His  Christ  made  all  in  all. 

Key  Word:      Judgment  of  nations,  v.  8.      (Kingdom  blessing,   14-20.) 

Strong  Verses:      8,    9,    17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  15.  It  is  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  rejected  and  glorified  King, 
who  will  be  in  the  midst  forever,  to  receive  the  homage  of  His  subjects 
and  to  give  out  His  favors. 


BOOK  OF  HAGGAI 


Page  Two  Hundred  Nine 


HAGGAI 


Key  Thought: 

Build 


Number  of  Chapters: 

2 


Key  Verse: 

1:8 


Christ  seen  as: 

The  Desire  of 
all  Nations. 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Haggai 


Date: 

About  520   B.   C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

God  demands  first  place 
in  life  and  in  service. 


uoi 

! 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:      Jehovah's  chastening  because  of  the  interrupted  work  on  His  house. 
The  work  on  the  temple  recommenced. 

Characters:      God,  Darius,  Haggai,  Zerubbabel,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  Those  are  strangers  to  their  own  interests  who  prefer  the  con- 
veniences and  ornaments  of  the  temporal  life  before  the  carrying  on  of 
God's  work  in  the  community.  If  we  would  have  the  real  comfort  and 
continuance  of  temporal  enjoyments,  we  should  make  God  our  friend  by 
putting  His  interests  first,  otherwise  that  which  we  gain  is  put  into  a  bag 
with  holes. 
ey  Word:  Temple,  vv.  2,  14. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    7. 


CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  The  various  temples.  Chastening  because  of  priest's  impurity  and 
the  peoples'  delay.  Future  destruction  of  Gentile  power. 

Characters:      God,  Haggai,  Zerubbabel,  Joshua. 

Conclusion:  If  we  take  no  care  of  the  interests  of  God's  work,  we  cannot  ex- 
pect that  He  should  take  care  of  all  our  interests.  If  we  are  employed 
in  His  work,  we  should  be  jealous  over  ourselves,  lest  we  spoil  it  by 
going  about  it  with  unsanctified  hearts  and  hands. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  house,  v.  3. 

Strong  Verses:      6,    7,    8,    9. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Christ  is  the  desire  of  all  nations,  for  in  Him  shall  all 
the  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed  with  the  best  of  blessings.  The  shak- 
ing of  nations  will  take  place  in  the  great  Tribulation,  which  will  be  fol- 
lowed by  Christ's  coming  in  glory. 


Page  Two  Hundred  Ten  BOOK  OF  ZECHARIAH 

ZECHARIAH 


Key  Thought:             Number  of 

God's  Ways                               14 

Chapters  : 

Key  Verse:              Christ  seen  as: 

8:2                     Prophet,   Priest 
and  King. 

Writer  of  the  Book: 

Zechariah 

Date: 

520    B.  C. 

Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

The     infinite     care     and 
love  of  God  is  over  His 
people  through  the  cen- 
turies. 

SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Zechariah's  symbolic  visions,  warning  of  Jehovah's  displeasure 
with  the  nations. 

Characters:      God,  Darius,  Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  The  judgments  of  God  which  those  who  went  before  us  were 
under  should  be  taken  as  warnings  not  to  tread  in  their  steps.  A  speedy 
reformation,  while  the  mercy  of  God  is  extended,  is  the  only  way  to  pre- 
vent an  approaching  ruin. 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  displeasure,  vv.  2,  12,  15. 

Strong   Verses:      3. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  17.  The  visions  reveal  Judah  in  dispersion,  Jerusalem 
under  adverse  possession,  and  the  Gentile  nations  at  rest  about  it,  the 
conditions  that  have  prevailed  throughout  the  present  age.  God's  answer 
to  the  angel's  intercession  sweeps  on  to  the  end  time,  when  the  Lord  shall 
yet  comfort  by  the  return  of  Christ  in  glory. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:      Visions  of  Zechariah.     Jerusalem  in  the  kingdom  age. 

Characters:      God,  Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  Jerusalem  is  the  apple  of  Jehovah's  eye,  jealously  guarded  by 
His  angels  and  marked  out  for  a  glorious  place  in  the  earth  in  the  day 
when  Christ  returns  to  dwell  among  men  upon  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Jerusalem,  v.  2. 

Strong  Verses:      8,  10,  11. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  11.  He  whom  the  Lord  of  Hosts  will  send  in  the  latter 
days  to  dwell  among  men  can  be  no  other  than  the  Lord  Jesus.  All  na- 
tions will  at  that  time  own  Him  as  the  one  sent  of  Jehovah,  which  was 
not  fulfilled  in  His  first  coming. 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Visions  of  Zechariah.  Joshua  and  Satan  before  the  angel  of  the 
Lord.  Jehovah's  servant,  The  Branch. 

Characters:      God,    Christ,    Joshua,    Satan,    Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  By  the  guilt  of  our  sins  we  are  obnoxious  to  God's  justice,  and 
by  the  power  of  our  sins  we  are  odious  to  His  holiness.  Those  who  would 
belong  to  Christ  will  be  enabled  to  cast  off  the  filthy  rags  of  corrupt 
affections  and  lusts,  and  will  be  clothed  with  the  spotless  robe  of  His 
righteousness.  Only  such*  can  He  place  in  positions  of  honor  and  trust 
in  His  service. 

Key  Word:      Garments,  v.    3. 

Strong  Verses:      4,   7. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  8.  Christ  is  the  "Servant,  the  Branch,"  who  was  long 
hid,  but  in  the  fulness  of  time  was  brought  forth  into  the  world.  His 
beginning  was  as  a  tender  branch,  but  He  will  yet  become  a  great  tree 
filling  the  earth. 

CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:  Vision  of  the  golden  candlestick  and  two  olive  trees.  Zerubbabel 
designated  to  finish  the  temple. 


I 


ZECHARIAH  Page  Two  Hundred  Eleven 

Characters:      God,    Holy   Spirit,    Zechariah,    Zerubbabel,    Joshua,    the    angel. 
Conclusion:      God  will  carry  on  and  complete  His  work,  not  by  human  might 

or  power,  but  by  the  power  of  His  Spirit,  working  in  those  designated  and 

called  by  Him.     For  those  thus  called,  all  difficulties  shall  be  gotten  over. 
Key  Word:      Temple's  completion,  v.   9. 
Strong  Verses:      6    (b). 
Striking   Facts:      v.    14.      Some    think    Christ    and    the    Holy    Spirit    are    here 

meant.      From  Christ,  the  olive  tree,  by  the  Spirit,  the  olive  branch,   all 

the  golden  oil  of  grace  is  communicated  to  believers. 

CHAPTER  FIVE 

its:      Vision   of   the   flying  roll   and   the   ephah. 
Characters:      God,  Zechariah,  angel. 
Conclusion:      God's  holy  law  reveals  the  righteous  wrath  of  God  against  those 

who  by  swearing,   affront  God's  majesty  and  who  by  stealing,   set  aside 

their  neighbor's   rights. 
Key  Word:      Curse,   v.    3. 

CHAPTER  SIX 

Contents:      Vision  of  the  four  chariots.      The  symbolic  crowning  of  Joshua. 
Characters:      God,   Jesus,  Zechariah,   angel,  Joshua,   Heldai,   Tobijah,   Jedaiah, 

Josiah. 
Conclusion:      Following   the    day  when    God's   judgments    go    forth    to    all    the 

earth,  Christ  shall  be  manifested  in  His  kingdom  glory  as  the  Priest-King 

on  His  own  throne. 
Key  Word:      The  Branch,  v.  12. 
Strong   Verses:      12,    13. 
Striking  Facts:      v.   13.      Christ  is  now  a  Priest,  but  still  in  the  holiest  within 

the  veil   (Lev.   16:15;   Heb.   9:11-14,   24),  seated  on  the  Father's  throne 

(Rev.  3:21).     He  will  yet  sit  upon  His  own  throne  (Heb.  9:28),  a  Priest 

— upon  His  throne. 

CHAPTER  SEVEN 

Contents:      The  mission  from  Babylon,  and  Jehovah's  answer  to  the  question 

of  fasts.      Why  prayer  was  not  answered. 

Characters:      God,    Holy   Spirit,   Darius,    Zechariah,    Sherezer,    Regemmelich. 
Conclusion:      When  we  offer  up  our  requests  to  God,  it  must  be  with  readiness 

to  receive  instructions  from  Him.     God  is  not  made  men's  debtor  by  fasts 

which  are  not  observed  with  self-examination  and  a  purpose  to  put  away 

their  sins. 

Key  Word:      Fasts,  v.   5. 
Strong  Verses:      9,   10,   13. 

CHAPTER  EIGHT 

Contents:  Jehovah's  unchanging  purpose  to  restore  Jerusalem  and  bless 
Israel  in  the  Kingdom. 

Characters:      God,   Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  Jerusalem,  the  city  of  God,  and  Israel,  the  people  of  God,  have 
God  to  plead  their  cause  until  the  day  when  the  dispersion  shall  be  ended, 
Israel  again  is  made  fruitful,  and  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth.  In 
that  day  all  men  shall  honor  a  Jew  as  one  of  the  chosen  people  of  God. 

Key  Word:      Zion's  restoration,  vv.  2,  12. 

Strong  Verses:      16,    17,    22,    23. 

Striking  Facts:  In  the  days  after  the  coming  of  Christ  in  glory,  Jerusalem 
will  be  made  the  center  of  earth's  worship,  and  the  Jew  will  be  the  mis- 
sionary to  all  nations,  bearing  the  messages  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER   NINE 

Contents:  Burden  upon  the  cities  surrounding  Palestine.  Christ  presented 
as  King-Savior  in  His  first  advent. 

Characters:      God,  Christ. 

Conclusion:  Christ,  Israel's  King,  who  came  as  the  meek  and  lowly  One, 
riding  upon  an  ass,  will  yet  be  recognized  by  Israel,  and  will  bring  them 
deliverance,  slay  all  enmities  and  extend  His  kingdom  to  all  the  earth. 

Key  Word:      Zion's  King,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      9,   10. 


Page  Two  Hundred  Twelve  ZECHARIAH 

Striking  Facts:  v.  9.  Having  introduced  the  King,  which  was  Christ  in  vv. 
9-10,  the  verses  which  follow  look  to  the  end  time  and  the  kingdom  when 
He  will  come  in  glory.  Except  in  v.  9,  the  present  age  is  not  seen  in 
Zechariah. 

CHAPTER  TEN 

Contents:  The  future  strengthening  of  Judah  and  Ephraim.  Israel's  dis- 
persion and  regathering  in  one  view. 

Characters :      God. 

Conclusion:  God  has  a  hand  in  all  the  events  concerning  Israel,  and  they  shall 
finally  have  His  favor  and  presence,  being  owned  and  accepted  of  Him. 
The  people  long  dispersed  shall  be  brought  together,  purified  and  strength- 
ened in  the  Lord. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  strengthening,  vv.   6,   10,   12. 

Strong  Verses:      12. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  12.  It  is  Christ  whom  Israel  will  recognize  as  the  crucified 
King,  who  will  strengthen  them,  and  cause  them  to  bestir  themselves  to 
go  up  and  down  the  land  in  His  name. 

CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

Contents:  First  advent  of  Christ  foretold  and  His  rejection.  God's  wrath 
against  Israel  as  the  result.  The  rise  of  anti-Christ  and  his  judgment. 

Characters:      God,   Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  will  not  open  the  door  to  let  the  King  in,  but  sell 
Him  for  a  paltry  price,  will  sooner  or  later  have  to  open  the  door  to  let 
ruin  in.  (This  is  the  desperate  case  of  Israel  in  the  present  age.) 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  wrath,  v.  6. 

Strong  Verses:      12,  13. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  7.  Beauty  and  Bands — literally  "graciousness  and  union" 
— signifying  God's  attitude  toward  Israel  in  sending  His  Son  (Matt. 
21:37),  and  His  purpose  to  reunite  Israel  (Ezek.  37:15-22).  Christ  in  His 
first  advent  came  with  grace  (John  1:17)  to  offer  union  (Matt.  4:17),  but 
was  sold  for  30  pieces  of  silver  (vv.  12,  13).  Beauty  (graciousness)  was 
thereby  "cut  in  sunder."  Bands  (union)  was  broken,  God's  purpose  to 
reunite  Israel  being  for  this  age  abandoned. 

CHAPTER  TWELVE 

Contents:  Jerusalem's  coming  siege  by  the  Beast  and  his  armies.  Deliverance 
of  Judah  by  the  Lord  Himself.  The  Spirit  poured  out  and  the  pierced 
One  recognized. 

Characters:      God,  Christ,  Holy  Spirit,  Zechariah. 

Conclusion:  Jerusalem,  following  the  awful  days  of  the  end-time,  shall  be 
repeopled  and  replenished,  but  it  will  not  be  until  Christ  returning  in 
glory  is  recognized  by  Israel  as  He  whom  they  have  pierced.  He  will  put 
down  all  enemies  and  work  a  gracious  work  in  His  people. 

Key  Word:      Jerusalem's  deliverer,  v.  10. 

Strong  Verses:      10. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  The  pouring  out  of  the  Spirit  upon  all  who  receive 
the  Crucified  One  as  Lord  and  Saviour  in  the  present  age  is  an  earnest  of 
what  Israel  shall  receive  when  Christ's  Kingdom  comes. 

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

Contents:      Repentant  remnant  of  Israel  in  the  last  days.     Refined  by  great 

tribulation.     Israel  again  restored  to  God's  favor. 
Characters:      God,  Christ,  Zechariah. 
Conclusion:      Israel,  at  the  end  of  the  age,  will  pass  through  a  period  of  fiery 

trial  for  purification,   after  which   they  will  find   Christ  to  be  the  Lamb 

slain  for  the  putting  away  of  sin.      Their  sin  and  uncleanness  finally  put 

away,  they  shall  be  restored  to  Jehovah's  favor. 
Key  Word:      Israel's  refining,   vv.    1,    9. 
Strong  Verses:      1,   6. 
Striking  Facts:      v.  1.     The  fountain  opened  is  the  pierced  side  of  Jesus  Christ, 


ZECHARIAH 


Page  Two  Hundred  Thirteen 


for  thence  came  there  out  blood  and  water — precious  blood,  the  price  of 
our  redemption.  Those  who  now  look  to  Christ  pierced  are  saved — but 
this  Israel  does  not  see  and  will  not  until  His  Second  Coming  (v.  6). 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

Contents:  The  return  of  Christ.  Armageddon.  The  changes  in  Palestine. 
The  kingdom  established  on  earth. 

Characters:      God,   Zechariah,    Christ. 

Conclusion:  In  the  last  days,  Christ  shall  return  in  glory,  His  feet  touching 
in  that  day  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives.  All  opposing  powers  shall  be  put 
down,  Israel  shall  be  gloriously  established,  Christ  shall  be  owned  by  all 
as  King  and  Lord  forever,  and  all  men  will  serve  and  worship  in  the  beauty 
of  holiness. 

Key  Word:      Kingdom,  v.  9. 

Strong  Verses:      4,  9,  20. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  9.  The  prayer  (Matt.  6:10)  "Thy  kingdom  come,  Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,"  will  have  its  final  answer  in  the 
coming  of  the  King  in  the  power  of  His  might.  It  will  not  be  a  spiritual 
and  gradual  coming,  the  effects  of  preaching,  but  a  personal,  literal  com- 
ing in  the  clouds  of  heaven  (v.  4). 


Page  Two  Hundred  Fourteen 


BOOK  OF  MALACHT 


MALACHI 


Key  Thought: 

Robbery 


Number  of  Chapters: 

4 


Key  Verse:  Christ  seen  as: 

3 :  8          Sun  of  Righteousness 


Writer  of  the  Book: 

Malachi 


Date: 


440-410    B.  C. 


Conclusion  of  the  Book: 

Remember  Jehovah,  re- 
pent toward  Him,  return 
to  Him  and  render  to 
Him  that  which  is  His 
due. 


SUMMARY 

CHAPTER  ONE 

Contents:  Jehovah's  love  for  Israel.  The  sins  of  the  priests  and  hypocrisy 
of  the  people. 

Characters:      God,   Malachi,   Jacob,   Esau. 

Conclusion:  God  would  have  His  people  know  that  He  loves  them,  therefore 
justly  takes  it  very  ill  to  have  His  favors  slighted  and  His  ordinances  par- 
taken of  in  hypocrisy.  Those  who  come  to  holy  ordinances  irreverently, 
going  away  from  them  never  the  better,  and  under  no  concern,  in  effect 
say,  "The  table  of  the  Lord  is  contemptible." 

Key  Word:      Jehovah's  displeasure,  vv.   10,  13. 

Strong  Verses:      13. 

CHAPTER  TWO 

Contents:  The  message  to  the  priests  concerning  their  sins.  The  evils 
among  the  people. 

Characters:      God,  Holy  Spirit,  Malachi. 

Conclusion:  Woe  to  those  appointed  to  be  God's  mouth  to  the  people,  but 
who  instead  are  a  stone  of  stumbling.  All  who  rest  in  external  perform- 
ances of  religion  will  not  only  come  short  of  acceptance  with  God  in  them, 
but  will  be  filled  with  shame  and  confusion. 

Key  Word:      Israel's  abominations,  v.   11. 

Strong  Verses:      7,    10,   17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  10.  Cp.  Acts  17:24-29.  The  reference  in  both  instances 
is  to  God  as  "Father  of  our  spirits" — or  creation.  It  has  no  reference 
to  salvation.  "We  are  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus." 

CHAPTER  THREE 

Contents:  Mission  of  John  the  Baptist,  and  Christ's  first  advent  foretold. 
Israel  exhorted  to  return  to  God. 

Characters: — God,  Christ,  Malachi,  John  the  Baptist. 

Conclusion:  Those  who  deny  God  His  part  of  their  estates  may  justly  expect 
a  curse  upon  their  own  part  of  them.  Those  who  rob  God  rob  themselves 
of  His  benefits  and  protection.  In  view  of  the  immanence  of  Christ's 
coming,  we  should  see  to  it  that  our  accounts  with  God  are  balanced. 

Key  Word:      Return,  vv.  7,  18. 

Strong  Verses:      1,  10,  11,  17. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  1.  The  first  "messenger"  is  a  prophecy  of  the  appearing 
of  the  forerunner,  John  the  Baptist  (Matt.  11:10;  Mark  1:2),  which 
Isaiah  had  foretold  (40:3).  "The  messenger  of  the  covenant"  is  Christ 
Himself,  but  for  its  final  fulfillment  looks  to  the  second  coming  of  Christ, 
the  messenger  having  been  rejected  at  His  first  advent.  His  sudden  com- 
ing to  the  temple,  connected  with  judgment,  awaits  fulfillment  (Heb. 
2:20).  Malachi,  like  other  O.  T.  prophets,  saw  both  advents  of  Messiah 
blended  in  one  horizon,  but  not  the  separating  interval. 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

Contents:      The  day  of  the  Lord  and  coming  of  Christ  as  "sun  of  righteousness." 
Elijah  to  be  forerunner  of  the  day  of  the  Lord. 


MA^VCHI 


Page  Two  Hundred  Fifteen 

'Characters:      God,   Moses,   Elijah,   Christ,   Malachi. 

Conclusion:  The  great  day  of  the  Lord  is  impending,  a  time  of  terror  and 
destruction  upon  all  whose  hearts  have  been  stout  against  God,  but  fol- 
lowed by  the  coming  of  Christ  as  the  sun  of  righteousness  with  healing 
in  His  wings  for  all  who  have  looked  to  Him.  "Come  quickly,  Lord 
Jesus." 

Key  Word:      Day  of  the  Lord,  v.  5. 

Strong  Verses:      1,   2. 

Striking  Facts:  v.  2.  The  Old  Testament  closes  with  the  promise  of  the  ris- 
ing of  the  "sun"  of  righteousness.  The  New  Testament  closes  with  the 
promise  of  the  rising  of  the  "morning  star"  (Rev.  22:16).  The  morning 
star  precedes  the  coming  of  the  sun,  which  finally  ushers  in  the  day. 
Christ  is  coming  to  the  Church  as  the  "morning  star"  in  the  last  dark 
hours  of  the  age  (1  Thess.  4:13-16 — prior  to  the  great  tribulation).  At 
the  close  of  the  tribulation  He  is  coming  as  the  "sun"  ushering  in  the 
Millennial  day,  and  Israel's  history  will  then  be  resumed. 


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